Despite the continued enforcement of the ban on commercial motorcycles in Taraba state, residents of Jalingo, the state capital, are raising fresh concerns over a resurgence of armed robbery and other violent crimes allegedly being carried out with the use of motorcycles.
The renewed wave of insecurity has heightened fears among residents, particularly in communities along the ATC–Roadblock axis, Nukkai, Nya’ma Salla, and Mallam Jo’da, where victims say armed robbers have repeatedly attacked homes under the cover of darkness, using motorcycles to facilitate their operations and escape.
The development comes amid broader security concerns in Taraba state, where residents have continued to grapple with kidnapping, banditry, communal conflicts and other criminal activities in different parts of the state.
The use of motorcycles in Jalingo was prohibited in 2012 by the administration of the late governor Danbaba Suntai following two separate bomb explosions in the state capital during the height of Boko Haram insurgency.
The attacks, which involved motorcycles carrying explosive devices, prompted the Taraba State House of Assembly to enact legislation imposing a total ban on motorcycle operations within the metropolis.
Although enforcement has varied under successive administrations, governor Agbu Kefas’ government in January 2024 reaffirmed the ban and constituted a special task force to enforce compliance and prosecute violators.
However, despite the ban remaining legally in force, motorcycles have gradually returned to the streets of Jalingo. Many residents attribute the resurgence to the removal of fuel subsidy by the Federal Government, which significantly increased transportation costs and made motorcycles a cheaper alternative for commuters.
Security analysts and residents now fear that the illegal return of motorcycles is providing criminals with a fast and effective means of carrying out attacks and evading security operatives.
Residents of Nukkai, particularly along the ATC–Roadblock corridor, who spoke with DAILY POST, said they have experienced repeated armed robbery attacks in recent weeks.
According to victims, the robbers usually arrive in groups on several motorcycles, with each motorcycle carrying up to three occupants.
One of the victims, Joseph Nkowanta, described how the criminals execute their operations.
“They come to our area in large numbers. Each motorcycle usually carries three persons. They mostly carry cutlasses. They divide themselves into groups. While some remain on the motorcycles as standby, others enter houses to rob residents. After collecting money and valuables, they quickly escape on the motorcycles.”
Another victim, a petty trader identified as Madam Ferico, recounted her traumatic experience during an attack on June 30, 2026.
According to her, the armed robbers invaded her residence at about midnight.
“They forcefully dragged me into my bedroom. They were carrying a POS machine. They collected my ATM card, inserted it into their machine and withdrew all the money in my bank account. They also took away my Android phone. They used many motorcycles.”
Residents say such attacks have become frequent, leaving many families living in fear and resorting to self help security measures at night.
Beyond Nukkai, residents allege that youths operating around Nya’ma Salla and Mallam Jo’da have also been using motorcycles to perpetrate various crimes, including armed robbery, cult-related violence and thuggery.
Community members have appealed to security agencies to intensify surveillance and strictly enforce the existing motorcycle ban to prevent further deterioration of security within the state capital.
The spokesperson of the Taraba state police command, ASP Victor Msherizar, confirmed to DAILY POST that the command is aware of the recent security challenges confronting parts of Jalingo and other areas of the state.
“The ban on motorcycles is still in place as imposed by the state government, and the command is aware of the recent security challenges in the state. Be rest assured that operational readiness is in place to checkmate and bring to book anyone found engaging in such actions,” he said.
The police spokesperson reaffirmed that the command remains committed to tackling criminal activities and urged residents to continue providing useful information to assist security operations.
Despite the official ban, investigations by our correspondent revealed that motorcycles continue to operate openly in several parts of Jalingo.
At different police checkpoints across the metropolis, security personnel were observed stopping and arresting motorcycle operators found violating the ban.
However, residents expressed concern that many offenders are often released after arrest and soon return to the streets with their motorcycles, raising questions about the effectiveness of enforcement efforts.
Many residents believe stronger prosecution of offenders and sustained enforcement of the motorcycle ban are necessary to curb the growing wave of armed robbery.
As insecurity continues to pose serious challenges in the state, residents are calling on the state government, security agencies and community leaders to adopt more effective strategies to restore public safety.
Many fear that unless urgent action is taken to address the illegal use of motorcycles and dismantle criminal networks operating within the state capital, armed robbery and related crimes may continue to escalate, further threatening lives, property and public confidence in the state’s security architecture.
