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Tag: Motorcycle

  • Motorcycle Association to Begin Digital Identification of Okada Riders

    Motorcycle Association to Begin Digital Identification of Okada Riders

    The Riders and Owners of Motorcycle Association of Nigeria (ROMAN) say plans are being made to issue digital identification to its members in a bid to check criminality among members.

    Speaking on Sunday, October 23, during a sensitisation meeting at Karu, federal capital territory (FCT), Olusola Razaq, national president of the association, said the development would help to regulate the activities of commercial motorcyclists and prevent outright bans by the federal and state governments.

    He said his leadership had already hired an ICT firm to conduct a digital image capture of every member across the country for proper identification.

    He said: “The reason we are here is to inaugurate the FCT executive ahead of the national reforms as ordered by the federal government.

    “And like I said, we have gotten a company that will create a database for our members to ensure proper identification of all members since there are other existing unions across the country.”

    Razaq said preparations were being made to ask the national assembly to draft a national regulation act for the association.

    He continued: “Days are gone when okada riders are used for political thuggery.

    “Of course, we know that the new Electoral Act does not give room for such anymore.

    “So our efforts now is to ensure that okada riders are well sensitised like every other Nigerian who can also live their normal lives like good citizens of this country.

    “We are also negotiating with the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) and Vehicle Inspection Office (VIO) on the issue of members getting their number plates, to stop disobeying road rules, avoid road crashes and sudden deaths.

    “We are also doing this to help millions of Nigerians get out of poverty because many families have waited for white-collar jobs endlessly.

    “So, what I am saying is that commercial motorcyclists have contributed and is still contributing to providing employment for youths.

    “It will also interest you to know that we have set up a national task force in each state we operate to ensure compliance.”

  • Motorcycle ban will lead to 40 million job loss – ACOMORAN

    Motorcycle ban will lead to 40 million job loss – ACOMORAN

    The Amalgamated Commercial Tricycle and Motorcycle Owners, Repairs and Riders Association of Nigeria (ACOMORAN) has advised the Federal Government to jettison the idea of banning the use of motorcycles nationwide as it would be counter-productive.

    The Association said the outright ban may throw over 40 million Nigerians, who make a living through motorcycles, into the saturated labour market.

    It equally warned of the economic and security implications, saying besides impoverishing millions of Nigerians, it would further compound the anti-social vices the government was trying to contain.

    National President of ACOMORAN, Alhaji Samsudeen Adebayo Apelogun, gave the warning on Monday, at a press briefing in Abuja, where he noted that their membership base stands at 12 million nationwide, with 6000 adequately registered.

    Recall that the Federal Government, after its security council meeting on July 21st, 2022, gave an indication that it might be compelled to ban the use of motorcycles and mining activities as it had been discovered to be major means of movement by bandits and source of amassing ransom from kidnap victims.

    But opposing the move, the leadership of ACOMORAN said the government lacked effective security architecture, hence should overhaul their intelligence gathering mechanism, rather than creating another monster that will ultimately add salt to the injury.

    Apelogun said, “Commuters see motorcycles as a relief to their transportation problems, while motorcycle riders see their adventure as a source of livelihood. Without a doubt, the use of motorcycles has enhanced mobility for the middle income earners, which by extension has contributed to an increase in production through an increase in man hours.

    “Let me put it on record that from experience, 95 percent of those you see riding motorcycles are doing it because they don’t have better options and they don’t want to take to crime.

    “If ten million of these 40million people they plan to render jobless take to crime, can the government contain them? If you attribute the movement of terrorists to motorcycles, don’t criminals operate with vehicles? When terrorists regrettably attacked Kuje prison, was it the motorcycle riders that caused the failure of intelligence gathering?”

  • Police, Vigilante Nabs Five Motorcycle Snatching Syndicate In Kogi

    Police, Vigilante Nabs Five Motorcycle Snatching Syndicate In Kogi

    By Noah Ocheni, Lokoja

    Five motorcycle  snatching syndicate terrorizing Adavi Local Government and Kogi Central have been arrested by the Nigerian Police in collaboration with local vigilante group in the state.

    Our correspondent gathered that luck ran out of the suspects on Wednesday while struggling to snatch a motorcycle from an Okada Rider before they were arrested at Ebogogo Community in Adavi Local Government area of the state.

    The gang who hails from different states were identified as;
    ThankGod from Kaduna, Bello from Edo, Abdullahi Musa from Gombe, Zahamarudeen AKA (Yellow), Zamfara, and Mr. Solomon from Edo State respectively.

    The suspects confessed that they  have been responsible for motorcycle snatching in Kogi Central axis and their operation hideout is along Auchi road, where they normally lured Okada Rider to and forcefully snatch their motorcycles.

    They also admitted that the  motorcycles found in their possession were stolen from Okada Riders and many that were sold at a give away price of #30,000 each.

    The Gang leader, Mr. ThankGod who was paraded along with other suspects said “We have been in this motorcycle snatching business for a long time Since the economy is not friendly, we have to survive.”

    “We normally use tricks on Okada riders to snatch their bike. Each bike we steal is usually sold between N25,000 to N30,000 depending on how urgent we needed money. And whenever we sell the stolen motorcycles, we share the money among ourselves.”

    Addressing journalist on   government’s effort to curb the activities of robbers and kidnappers in the Local Government, the  Chairman of Adavi Local council, Hon. Joseph Omuya warned that Adavi will not be a safe haven for criminal elements in the state.

    He urged the residents of the Local Government to continue to support and cooperates with Security Agencies in providing accurate and timely information about the movement of suspicious persons in their domain.

    Items recovered from the suspects include; three motorcycles,  locally made guns, speaker and generator set.