RismadarVoice Reporters
January 30, 2026
Niger State Governor, Mohammed Umaru Bago, has lifted the ban on the movement of tricycles and motorcycles in Minna, the state capital, after 10 months.
The ban, initially imposed between 6:00p.m. and 6:00a.m. as part of measures to curb rising insecurity linked to motorcycles and tricycles, was later reviewed after two months to run from 8:00p.m. to 6:00a.m. following complaints from traders over economic hardship.
The Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Alhaji Abubakar Usman, announced the lifting of the restriction in a statement issued on Friday and signed by his Coordinator, Press Affairs, Lawal Tanko.
According to the statement, the decision followed a comprehensive review of the security situation in the state capital, was based on the recommendations of the State Security Committee.
“The Niger State Gov, Mohammed Umaru Bago, has approved the total lifting of the restriction on the movement of motorcycles and tricycles within the Minna metropolis,” the statement said, adding that the move reflects a “significant and sustained improvement in the security landscape of Minna.”
Usman explained that the initial restriction was a proactive step that helped curb criminal activities and protect lives and property. He assured residents that the government remains committed to sustaining peace and will continue to work closely with security agencies to monitor developments across the metropolis.
However, some residents expressed doubts about the effectiveness of the ban. A Bosso Estate resident, Ibrahim Nura, said incidents of robbery and attacks by hoodlums continued during the period of the restriction.
“The curfew did not achieve much. Hoodlums still broke into homes, robbed people and injured victims. The problem is unemployment, not okada or tricycles,” he said, adding that the ban allegedly encouraged extortion by security operatives.
Another resident, Sherifat Auwal, alleged that an okada rider was arrested by plain-clothes policemen while attempting to convey her during the restricted hours, suggesting the arrest was for extortion.
Reacting to the allegation, the spokesman of the Niger State Police Command, Wasiu Abiodun, said no such complaint had been reported to the command, urging victims to report cases through official police channels, including the Complaint Response Unit.
The lifting of the ban follows a similar restriction imposed in 2021 by former Governor Sani Bello on commercial motorcycle operations in Minna.
