Kano bans commercial motorcycle in key LGAs over rising insecurity

Okada

The Kano State Ministry of Justice has reaffirmed the enforcement of the Motorcycling and Related Matters (Regulations) Law 2013 (1434 A.H.), which prohibits the carrying of passengers on motorcycles within metropolitan areas of the state, citing rising insecurity.

The Ministry warned that violators will face strict penalties, describing the renewed enforcement as part of ongoing efforts to enhance public safety and curb increasing criminal activities across Kano.

Abdulkarim Kabiru Maude, Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, said the government is reminding residents—particularly commercial motorcyclists, popularly known as Achaba—that the law remains in full force and prohibits passenger-carrying motorcycle operations in several metropolitan Local Government Areas.

Read also: Troops rescue seven kidnap victims in Kano

The affected LGAs include Kano Municipal, Gwale, Dala, Nassarawa, Tarauni, Ungogo (Jido), Dawakin Kudu (Tamburawa, Gurjiya, Jido Ward), Fagge, and Kumbotso.

According to the commissioner, violators risk up to six months imprisonment, a ₦10,000 fine, and forfeiture of their motorcycle.

The Ministry further noted that in areas where commercial motorcycling is still permitted, riders must undergo compulsory registration with their Ward Head, the Local Government Works Department, and the Divisional Police Officer of their jurisdiction. This documentation process, Maude stated, is crucial for proper identification, enhanced security monitoring, and the orderly operation of motorcycle transport services.

He added that the state government has urged riders, passengers, transport unions, and community leaders to ensure full compliance. Security agencies, he noted, have been directed to intensify surveillance and enforce the law rigorously in the interest of public peace and crime prevention.

Commercial motorcycle operations—long a critical mode of transport in Kano—have been central to security debates for more than a decade. The 2013 Motorcycling Regulations Law was introduced at a time when urban crime and insurgency-related threats were on the rise. Motorcycles were frequently linked to offenses such as snatching, robbery, and drive-by attacks, prompting the government to impose restrictions in densely populated areas.

Although enforcement was initially strict, compliance later weakened, with many riders returning to prohibited routes. Recent security concerns—ranging from increased petty crime to the use of motorcycles for criminal mobility—have renewed pressure on authorities to act.

By reaffirming the law’s validity, the Ministry of Justice signals a renewed crackdown aimed at restoring order, improving rider identification, and reducing the anonymity that often facilitates motorcycle-related crimes. The compulsory registration requirement in permitted LGAs reflects a broader statewide push to strengthen local government and community participation in security management.

The latest directive also aligns with similar enforcement measures in other northern states, where motorcycles have been regulated or banned in response to persistent insecurity.

Join BusinessDay whatsapp Channel, to stay up to date