Nigeria urged to ban mass motorcycle movement amid rising banditry

Motorcycles, widely used in Nigeria for transportation and commerce, have become a significant security concern due to their increasing weaponization by bandits. Popularly known as 'okada,' these vehicles are essential for mobility, especially in areas inaccessible to conventional vehicles. However, since their commercial introduction in the 1990s, they have contributed to a high number of road traffic accidents, with a fatality rate as high as 68% between 2019 and 2025, according to a study.

More alarmingly, motorcycles are now the preferred equipment for bandit operations, particularly in Nigeria's North-West and North-Central regions. Recent attacks, such as those in Sokoto State during the last Sallah festival, saw bandits deploying approximately 150 motorcycles to carry out coordinated assaults, resulting in numerous deaths and looted shops. This widespread use of motorcycles for criminal activities has prompted calls for stricter regulations.

The article criticizes some state governments for failing to ban or even lifting restrictions on motorcycles, despite overwhelming evidence of their use in banditry. It recalls that the Nigerian Army banned motorcycle use in seven North-West states in 2019 during a period of intensified banditry under former President Muhammadu Buhari.

As an urgent measure, the article advocates for the reinstatement of restrictions on the mass movement of motorcycles. It points to Mali as an example, where similar restrictions in conflict-prone areas significantly disrupted terrorist logistics, aided security operations, and led to the arrest and neutralization of extremist leaders. The piece argues that denying criminals easy mobility can yield substantial security gains, highlighting the need for decisive action against the misuse of motorcycles in Nigeria.