Residents of Gombe have protested against an announcement by the Nigeria Police Force on the restriction of the use of motorcycles from 7pm to 6am across the state.
The Gombe State Police Command had on Wednesday announced the immediate ban on using motorcycles between the hours of 7pm and 6am, in an effort to curb phone snatching and other crimes across the state.
The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Buhari Abdullahi, said the command also banned the bearing of dangerous weapons in public places during celebrations of all forms, events, festive periods and political gatherings.
SPONSOR AD
He added that it has also placed a ban on the use of truck or vehicle-type horns on motorcycles, and carrying more than one passenger on a motorcycle.
“The directive is part of proactive security measures aimed at preventing violence, intimidation, and avoidable incidents that often arise from the reckless use of weapons such as knives, cutlasses, machetes, dagger, clubs, and other offensive weapons in public gatherings,” he said.
DSP Abdullahi added that the police will not tolerate any act that threatens public peace, particularly under the guise of celebration, community/gang rivalry clashes, among others.
However, some residents of the state have complained over what they described as the harshness of the ban.
A resident of Gombe metropolis, Khaled Shehu Kaabo, said while the public supported efforts to ensure safety, he appealed to the government to reconsider the timing of the ban.
“Many law-abiding citizens rely on motorcycles for work, emergencies, and essential movement. This ban may increase hardship and insecurity. We urge authorities to consult communities and adopt a balanced solution that secures lives without harming livelihoods,” he said.
On his part, Nasir Isah Bello of the Concerned Citizens of Gombe State, urged the police to consider extending the restriction to at least 9pm because “the real perpetrators of crimes such as phone snatching, mostly the ‘Kalare boys,’ do not necessarily ride in motorcycles while committing such crimes.”
He said, “From our daily experiences from different parts of the state, especially within Gombe metropolis, these ‘Kalare boys’ mostly operate on foot, hiding in dark and quiet corners to ambush unsuspecting innocent citizens walking alone while returning from work or business in the evening hours.
“They do not use bikes to carry out their operations. In fact, they operate more in places where it will be difficult for vehicles or motorcycles to ply. As such, the restriction of use of motorcycles at night, though well-intentioned, will not directly address the real issues.”
According to Bello, the restriction will disrupt business owners, bring job losses for hundreds of commercial motorcyclists and increase hardship for the residents, “because we have fewer transportation options.”
For another resident, Muhammad Muddathir Salihu, the ban could even increase crime in the state instead of reducing it.
“People will still need to move around beyond 7pm, so they will look for other ways to get home. They might use tricycles or walk long distances. This could create new opportunities for criminals to snatch phones and commit other crimes.
“Several people in Gombe work until 7pm or even start their businesses around that time. It is unrealistic to expect everyone to be home by 7pm. We are humbly appealing to the government to review this particular ban on motorcycles and consider adjusting the time,” he said.
Restricting the movement of motorcycles by the Gombe Police Command followed an outrage on the killing of a 45-year-old businessman, Ahmed Aliyu Umar, popularly known as ‘Amadi Kasiran’, by suspected phone snatchers penultimate Sunday.
According to the police, the incident occurred on June 8, at ‘Hammadu Kafi,’ area on the outskirts of Gombe metropolis, as the victim was returning home in the evening. The attackers, who were suspected to be ‘Kalare’ thugs, attempted to snatch his mobile phones and other valuable items.
In a statement, the Command PPRO, DSP Abdullahi, who confirmed the incident, said it was reported by one Bashir Aliyu Umar on 8th June 2025, while the incident happened around 8pm in Hammadu Kafi, Akko Local Government Area of Gombe State.
According to the PPRO, “The victim was attacked with a knife and sustained fatal injuries in the left side of his chest and back, and was rushed to the Specialist Hospital Gombe, where he was sadly confirmed dead by a medical doctor.”
The Police Command strongly condemned the senseless and unwarranted act of violence and added that all efforts are being intensified to identify, trace, and apprehend the perpetrators of the heinous crime, “so they can be brought to justice.”
Investigation by our correspondent revealed that the killing of Amadi Kasiran brought the number of people killed or attacked to over 20 within the last one month. Unsuspecting people were either killed or critically injured by suspected phone snatchers or motorcycle robbers, mostly in the night within Gombe metropolis alone.
For instance, on June 7, a day after Sallah, about six people were critically injured and had their phones snatched. Also, a few days before the Sallah, a 70-year-old man was killed and the attackers left with his motorcycle.
According to reports, the suspected criminals who move in large groups, wielding dangerous weapons, mostly kill or critically wound their victims before snatching their phones, motorcycle or valuable possessions.
(Daily Trust)
