Residents of Borno State have been left confused after President Bola Tinubu commissioned 3,000 electric bikes, despite an existing ban on the use of motorcycles across the state.
The President, during a state visit on Saturday, commissioned electric vehicles comprising 3,000 bikes, 500 tricycles, 100 cars and 20 42-seater buses.
Speaking during the unveiling, President Tinubu commended the Borno state governor, Babagana Zulum and the people of the state, saying the initiative would benefit the citizens in mobility and convenience, especially in rural communities.
He said, “The electric vehicles, the tricycles, the charging terminals in their thousands ease the problems of mobility and transportation economy,” he said.
It could be recalled that on the 25th of July, 2024, the Borno state police command reiterated the ban on the use of motorcycles, including Electric or petrol-powered bikes, warning that anyone found in its procession will be arrested for violating the order.
The statement, released by the Spokesperson for the Command, ASP Nahum Daso, said the decision was taken at the Borno State Security Council based on the security challenges in the state.
The statement reads in part, “The Command has observed the flagrant use of motorcycles, especially electric bikes, in the State, and wishes to remind the general public that the ban on motorcycles in the state still subsists.
“The decision was taken at the Borno State Security Council based on the security challenges in the state.
Daso advised members of the public to adhere to the order, saying, “Any person found in possession of Electric or petrol-powered motorbikes will be arrested for violating the order.
“Filling stations are equally warned to desist from selling petrol products to customers on motorcycles. Any filling station found selling petrol to motorcyclists will be sanctioned and sealed for prosecution,” it added.
When contacted on Monday, the police spokesperson, ASP Nahum Daso, said the ban has not been lifted and that police are still enforcing it.
He said, “As of now, the status quo remains; the enforcement of the ban on electric and petrol-powered bikes continues. At the time, it came as an executive order from the governor, and he has not changed it,” he said.
Similarly, the Senior Technical Assistant to the Borno state governor on Print and Digital Communications, Abdulrahman Bundi, confirmed to PUNCH Online in a phone call interview that the ban is still in force.
“This is a police issue. If the police confirm that the ban is still ongoing, just know that that is our position. It simply means that it is still in force,” Bundi said.
Reacting to Saturday’s unveiling, residents expressed confusion over the situation while calling for clarification from the state government.
A resident of Polo in Maiduguri, Ibrahim Hassan, while speaking with PUNCH, said they were expecting to hear if the state government has officially lifted the ban.
“How will you come and commission 3,000 Motobikes that you have banned. Who will they share it with, or do they want to keep it till they lift the ban? They should clarify it officially so that we can know if to go ahead and buy it with our money,” he said.
Another resident, Alkali Adamu, in a Facebook post, also queried the program, describing it as confusing.
He wrote, “I would like to ask a simple question. A few months ago, Governor Babagana Zulum banned the use of electric bikes in Maiduguri. Today (Saturday), however, the President commissioned electric bikes.
“Who then is expected to use these bikes. Does this action by the president imply that the governor has lifted the ban? Unfortunately, our leaders often take actions that create confusion among the public,” he said.
Umar Aminu, another resident, however, appreciated the government for the project, while calling for clarifications to clear the doubts of residents.
“We sincerely appreciate our governor for the many projects in the state, particularly the electric bikes he recently unveiled. However, we are worried about whether the government will only allow specific people to use such bikes or if the ban has been lifted. This we need to know so that we can go and buy with our money,” he said.
