The Niger State Government has reassured citizens that the recently imposed curfew on motorcycles and tricycles, popularly known as keke napep, is not intended to punish law abiding citizens. Rather, it is a proactive and urgent measure to address the growing insecurity that has afflicted parts of the state capital in recent days.
A statement issued by Special Adviser on Print Media Aisha Wakaso clarified that Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago fully understands the challenges this temporary measure may pose to hardworking Nigelites who go about their businesses legitimately. However, the safety of lives and property remains the topmost priority of this administration.
Over the past six days, we have witnessed disturbing incidents of violence, with several lives lost to attacks by miscreants operating in a manner akin to mini cult groups. These groups, made up of young boys between the ages of 13 and 22, have exploited the ease of movement provided by motorcycles and tricycles to commit crimes across various parts of Minna and evade arrest.
If these boys are not restricted, they can carry out criminal activities in one part of town and vanish into another within minutes. Their swift mobility not only makes arrests difficult but also enables the rapid spread of their operations.
It is in a bid to disrupt these activities that the state government has imposed the curfew. While we understand that this will affect movement and commerce, it is a necessary sacrifice to restore sanity and protect the lives of our people.
We have also observed a disturbing trend among these groups where a distinct hairstyle that appears to be evolving into a form of group identity. Many of them wear dreadlocks in front while the back of the head is shaved. This style has increasingly become associated with members of these disruptive groups.
Security agencies have been advised to closely monitor individuals with this distinct look. This is not a blanket criminalization of hairstyles, but a preventive measure informed by intelligence and ongoing trends. The aim is to dismantle the formation and spread of these emerging groups before they become deeply entrenched.
I therefore appeal to all citizens of Niger State to understand and support these efforts. This is not a punitive action, it is a step taken to protect lives and maintain order. The lives of Nigelites are far more valuable than any short term disruption to economic activities. If these elements are not curtailed now, they will only become bolder and more dangerous.
