Gombe residents protest motorcycle ban amid rising crime

Residents of Gombe State have expressed strong opposition to a recent ban imposed by the Nigeria Police on the use of motorcycles between 7 p.m. and 6 a.m., following a wave of violent crimes across the state.

The Gombe State Police Command announced the ban on Wednesday as part of new security measures aimed at curbing phone snatching, armed robbery, and related crimes.

The ban also prohibits carrying dangerous weapons in public during celebrations and political events, limits motorcycles to one passenger, and outlaws the use of truck-like horns on motorcycles.

Police spokesperson DSP Buhari Abdullahi said the measures are intended to prevent violence and maintain public safety, citing increasing incidents involving weapons such as knives and machetes used in attacks and gang clashes.

However, the announcement has sparked backlash from residents who say the ban is too harsh and may worsen existing hardships. Many argue that it unfairly targets law-abiding citizens who rely on motorcycles for work, emergencies, and essential travel after dark.

Khaled Shehu Kaabo, a resident of Gombe metropolis, urged the government to reconsider the ban’s timing. “This restriction may increase hardship and even insecurity. We urge the authorities to consult communities and find a balanced solution,” he said.

Nasir Isah Bello, from the group Concerned Citizens of Gombe State, echoed this concern. He argued that the criminals known locally as “Kalare boys”—blamed for most of the violence—rarely use motorcycles in their attacks.

“These thugs mostly operate on foot, hiding in dark corners to ambush people. Banning motorcycles doesn’t tackle the root problem,” he explained.

Other residents also warned that the restriction could worsen insecurity, as fewer transport options after 7 p.m. may expose more people to attacks while walking home. Business owners and commercial motorcyclists, who depend on evening income, are also expected to suffer significant losses.

The ban comes in response to rising public outrage following the murder of a 45-year-old businessman, Ahmed Aliyu Umar, known as ‘Amadi Kasiran’, who was stabbed to death by suspected phone snatchers on June 8 in the Hammadu Kafi area of Gombe metropolis. Police confirmed he sustained fatal chest and back injuries and later died in the hospital.

Investigations reveal that over 20 people have been killed or injured by suspected phone snatchers and motorcycle robbers in Gombe metropolis in just the past month.

Victims include a 70-year-old man killed before his motorcycle was stolen, and at least six people attacked on June 7, a day after Sallah.

The police have condemned the spate of violent attacks and assured the public that efforts are underway to apprehend those responsible.

Despite the good intentions behind the new restrictions, many in Gombe are calling for a more targeted approach that addresses the root causes of insecurity without imposing blanket measures that disrupt livelihoods.