Kano residents raise the alarm over unverified motorcycle operators

Lukman Abdulmalik

For residents of Sabon Gari in Kano State, the sight of an unfamiliar motorcycle rider weaving through the busy streets is no longer just another part of the community’s daily bustle.

Some residents say they have become increasingly cautious about who they allow to take them around the area, amid concerns over motorcycle operators whose identities and addresses are not immediately known.

The concern, they say, is not that every unfamiliar rider is involved in criminal activity, but that the presence of unverified operators could create security vulnerabilities in a densely populated commercial community.

Sabon Gari, one of Kano’s busiest areas, attracts traders, workers, students and visitors from different parts of the state and beyond. Its crowded streets and constant movement make motorcycles a convenient means of transportation, but residents say that convenience also comes with a need for stronger identification and monitoring.

In an interview with THE STAR, Peter Musa, a resident of Sabon Gari, said residents are increasingly paying attention to the identity of motorcycle operators before boarding their bikes.

He said the situation requires greater awareness because passengers often have little information about the riders taking them to their destinations.

For Samuel Michael, another resident, the issue goes beyond transportation.

He said residents need to know who operates commercial motorcycles within their neighbourhoods, particularly at a time when security agencies continue to urge communities to remain alert to unusual activities.

The concerns have prompted calls for residents to patronise riders who can be easily identified and traced.

Riders push verification

Some motorcycle operators in the area say efforts are already being made to distinguish verified riders from those operating outside the recognised system.

Aminu Abubakar, a motorcycle rider, said riders displaying the designated vest and identification number have been verified by the authorities.

“Anyone who you see with this vest has been duly verified and the Ministry of Transportation has the rider’s information,” he said.

According to him, the identification system is intended to make it easier for authorities and members of the public to establish the identity of operators working within the Sabon Gari axis.

He said passengers should pay attention to the vest and identification number before accepting a ride.

Another operator, Abba Haruna, told THE STAR that passengers could expose themselves to unnecessary risks when they patronise unidentified riders.

“Anyone who rides on a bike without this vest may be in danger and we are trying to solve this problem,” Haruna said.

He added that passengers who choose to use unverified motorcycles do so at their own risk.

For some operators, verification begins before a rider is allowed to join their group.

Maharazu Saleh, a motorcycle operator, said prospective riders are required to provide personal identification and references that could help authorities trace them if necessary.

“Before a rider joins us, he must provide a national identity card, a guarantor, and the contact of his community leader,” Saleh said.

He said such requirements could help operators maintain records of members and make it easier to identify individuals working within the area.

Police urge vigilance

The concerns come as the Kano State Police Command continues to urge residents to remain vigilant and report suspicious or unusual activities to security agencies.

The command has advised residents who notice strange movements, unfamiliar persons or other activities they consider suspicious to promptly report them to the nearest police station rather than attempting to confront or investigate suspects themselves.

Security officials say information from residents remains important in identifying potential threats early and preventing criminal activities.

For residents of Sabon Gari, the debate is therefore less about restricting motorcycle transportation and more about ensuring that those operating within the community are identifiable and accountable.

As motorcycles continue to provide an important means of movement through the area’s crowded streets, residents say a simple question increasingly matters before a passenger climbs onto a bike: Who is the person behind the handlebars?

For the riders, authorities and residents, stronger identification, proper registration and timely reporting could help preserve the convenience of motorcycle transportation without allowing anonymity to become a security gap.