In Kaduna, motorcycle riders accuse security agencies of extortion

Commercial and private motorcyclists in Kaduna State have accused security officials, mainly the police, of extortion in implementing the state’s motorbike ban.

As part of measures to combat bandit activity in the state, the Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan, announced on Wednesday a ban on the use of commercial and private motorbikes across the state’s 23 local government units.

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Some commercial and private motorcyclists who disobeyed the state government’s ban said that police officers implementing the legislation extorted them before releasing their motorcycles.

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The police charged between N5,000 and N10,000 before releasing confiscated motorcycles, according to a private motorcyclist who did not want his name used.

Idris Mohammed, the Secretary of the Amalgamated Commercial Motorcycle, Tricycle, and Riders (ACOMORAN), reported that several police officers travelled across the city a few days ago to evict motorcycles parked in mosque grounds.

“Some of the security officers implementing the legislation are harassing and intimidating people, as well as extorting money. But it’s possible that the top commanders are unaware of what’s going on, which is why they need to keep an eye on people on the ground,” he said.

He requested the state administration to extend the operating hours of tricycle operators from 7 p.m. to at least 9 or 10 p.m. to help the masses.

Meanwhile, the Kaduna State Police Command has warned that any officers discovered extorting motorbike riders will be prosecuted, and has urged the public to report any erring officers.

ASP Mohammed Jalige, a Police Public Relations Officer, warned in a discussion that only the courts, not the police, could fine those arrested.

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“What I know is that we have issued signals to all DPOs informing them that they must provide us with the number of impounded motorcycles and those who have broken the law in their divisions. Only the court, not the police, will decide how much the defaulters would pay in fines,” he explained.