Enugu Bans Tricycles, Motorbikes, Tipper-trucks After Election Deaths, Arson

By Chisom Ezeobi

Twenty-Four hours after at least five people were killed  and  properties burnt in the Enugu State local council elections, government has issued an official ban on tricycles, motorbikes and tipper-truck operations in volatile areas, including the Nkanu hotbed of the crisis.

The Southeast, Nigeria state had, on February 23, 2022, held elections for chairmen and councilors of its 17 local government areas in which the  Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi’s  People’s Democratic Party (PDP) ran home with a landslide.

READ ALSO: PDP Wins All 17 Councils In Enugu Elections

The election, though peaceful in many places, was met with violent attacks in Nkanu East and Nkanu West local government areas, stronghold of former old Anambra State governor and now opposition APC chieftain, Chief Jim Nwobodo hails from.

READ ALSO: Fire, Death As Enugu Votes In 17 Councils

Prime Business Africa gathered that the Enugu State Government, after a protracted security meeting on Thursday,  banned tricycle (Keke), Motorbikes (Okada) and Tipper-trucks in all communities in Nkanu East and Nkanu West local government areas of the state.

It also outlawed  tricycle, motorbike and tipper-truck operations in at least 14 more communities and neighbourhoods in Enugu South, including  Amechi Uno, Amechi Awkunanaw, Amechi Uwani, Obeagu Main, Obeagu Uno, Centenary City/Obunagu and Obeagu.

Others are One day, Garki, Akwuke, Ugwuaji, Ndiagu Onunyo, Maryland and Ikiriki.

A statement signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Simon Uchenna Ortuanya, disclosed that the decision was ”sequel to an emergency Security Council meeting held in Enugu State Government House, on Thursday, February 24, 2022, on the heels of the recent spike in insecurity in parts of the state and Executive Order No.1: 2022 dated 24th February, 2022.”

The statement enjoined members of the public “to comply with this Order as the Security Agencies in the State have been directed to enforce it”.

The full text of the statement reads:

“Following an emergency Security Council meeting held in Enugu State Government House today, Thursday, 24th February 2022 on the heels of the recent spike in insecurity in parts of the State and Executive Order No.1: 2022 dated 24th February 2022, the operation of Tricycle popularly called Keke, Motorcycle otherwise known as Okada, and Tipper Truck have been banned forthwith in the following areas in the State:

“All communities in Nkanu East Local Government Area;

“All communities in Nkanu West Local Government Area; and

“The following communities/neighborhoods in Enugu South Local Government Area:

I. Amechi Uno

II. Amechi Awkunanaw

III. Amechi Uwani

IV. Obeagu Main

V. Obeagu Uno

VI. Centenary City/Obunagu

VII. Obeagu

VIII. One day

IX. Garki

X. Akwuke

XI. Ugwuaji

XII. Ndiagu Onunyo

XIII. Maryland

XIV. Ikiriki

“Members of the public are enjoined to comply with this Order as the Security Agencies in the State have been directed to enforce it.

“Prof Simon Uchenna Ortuanya
Secretary to the State Government.
24/02/2022”.

Chisom Success Ezeobi, Campus Editor

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