Enugu Metropolis Commercial Bike Riders May Face One-Year Imprisonment if Caught 

By Adeke Chukwuka

The Enugu State government has reiterated that the ban on commercial motorcycles in the capital remains in effect.  The government has strictly warned that violators may face up to one year in prison and risk losing their motorcycles to the government.

On Thursday, Hon. Emeka Ajogwu, the Commissioner for Special Duties, issued a statement, emphasizing that the government had formed a task force to apprehend and prosecute violators of the motorcycle ban.

 He expressed concern over public complaints about the unregulated use of motorcycles in the city center. Ajogwu asserted that the government would not tolerate this behavior, reminding the public of the one-year imprisonment and motorcycle forfeiture penalties for offenders under the existing law.

The state government has expressed great concern about the increasing and unregulated use of motorcycles by lawbreakers in the capital city.

Despite the existing law against it, some people still continue to operate recklessly, causing worries among the public regarding their safety within the Enugu metropolis.

The government issued a stern warning, stating that illegal motorcycle activities must stop immediately and also highlighting that violators will face consequences under the existing law.

Hon. Ajogwu stated that a committee has been established to tackle the issue, and he emphasized the specific sections of the law prohibiting motorcycle use in certain areas of the state. He said the government is determined to enforce the law strictly and warns the public, especially offenders, to refrain from this criminal activity.

In July 2012, the former governor of the state, Sullivan Chime, enacted a law prohibiting commercial motorcycles in the state capital. This decision was made due to rising crime rates facilitated by motorcycles, as acknowledged by law enforcement agencies.

The ban was implemented in the interest of public safety and was a response to the criminal activities carried out by individuals using motorcycles for illegal purposes.