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.

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.

Why police imposed restriction on motorcycles

Daily Trust reports that 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.

Governor Yahaya speaks on  killing of businessman

Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya has condemned the killing of 45-year-old businessman Amadi Kasiran, who was reportedly stabbed to death by suspected thugs.

Reacting to the killing through his spokesman, Ismaila Uba Sani, the governor expressed outrage and vowed to bring the perpetrators to justice.

“This gruesome act is a direct threat to the peace and safety of our people. Let it be known: violence has no place in Gombe State, and we will deal decisively with anyone caught breaching our peace,” he said.

Governor Yahaya directed security agencies to act swiftly and conduct a full-scale operation to apprehend those behind the attack. He also ordered increased surveillance and patrols in vulnerable areas across the state capital.

He warned that his administration would not tolerate a return to the days of politically motivated gang violence and street-level thuggery.

“I have instructed all relevant security agencies to move swiftly. We must not allow these elements to terrorise our people. The killers of Ahmed will be hunted down and made to face the full wrath of the law,” he added.

He also extended his condolences to the family of the deceased and assured them that the government would ensure justice is served.

Governor Yahaya also called on residents to support law enforcement agencies with timely information, stressing that security is a shared responsibility.

“This state is known for peace, and we intend to keep it that way. We will not allow criminality to fester. Let it be a warning: any individual or group attempting to take us back to the dark days of Kalare violence will have the state to contend with,” he warned.

Restrictions should be strategic – Security expert

A security expert who craved anonymity said even though the restriction of night movement by motorcycle operators is good to some extent, it should be strategically carried out in order not to create more problems than it is supposed to address.

“Of course, the issue of phone snatching and other petty crimes are issues of concern, however, the restriction of motorcycles should be done strategically and with the right kind of intelligence.”

“It would negatively affect the transportation sector, as most people now rely on motorcycles to move around, especially with the high cost of fuel.

“Commercial motorcycles are used as a mode of public transportation, and operated mainly by youths. Some youths who lost their jobs resorted to earning a living by the use of their motorcycles to convey passengers to and fro from their destinations.

“The restriction will definitely affect their means of livelihood which could also breed another security concern. These are youths, and you asked them to be idle from 7pm. It may create another problem without solving the existing situation,” he warned.

The expert further stated that the government should identify areas where motorcycles pose a greater risk to security and find out the reasons behind these crimes and deal with them accordingly.

“The degenerating security situation is linked to unemployment and lack of vocational skills, and it is the reason many young Nigerians have opted to phone snatching and motorcycle theft,” he stated.

He, therefore, called on the state government to invest in some vocational and technical training to absolve the youth and make them useful.

Police exempt essential workers on motorcycle restriction

Meanwhile, DSP Abdullahi in a statement said the Police has reviewed the restriction of motorcycle usage, exempting essential service workers from the restriction.

“With reference to our earlier press release on the restriction of motorcycle usage, and following observations and feedback from the public and stakeholders, we have undertaken a review of the policy.

“After careful consideration, we wish to inform the public that the restriction on the use of motorcycles remains in effect. However, essential service workers are now exempted from this restriction.

“This exemption applies strictly to individuals who can provide valid identification and proof of employment in recognised essential services, including but not limited to healthcare, emergency response, utilities and journalists.

“We appeal to the public to continue cooperating with enforcement authorities and to respect the adjusted restrictions in place, as they are designed to safeguard public order and safety,” DSP Abdullahi said.