The Abia State administration has issued a directive requiring all motorcycles, whether private or commercial, to undergo registration and receive unique identification numbers. During a press briefing in Umuahia, Commissioner for Information Okey Kanu announced that motorcycles seized following the recent prohibition in Umuahia, Aba, and Ohafia must incur a N50,000 fine per vehicle.
Owners have a thirty-day window to reclaim their impounded bikes; failure to do so will result in the state government permanently confiscating the property. Additionally, riders in permitted zones are now mandated to wear reflective vests corresponding to their specific local government areas.
Commissioner Kanu emphasized that the ban on motorcycle taxis, known as Okada, remains firm and was enacted to prioritize public safety rather than to target the livelihoods of citizens. Supporting this stance, Special Adviser Ferdinand Ekeoma noted a growing security risk caused by tricycle operators fleeing bans in neighboring states to relocate to Abia. Chief Security Adviser Navy Commander Mac Donald Ubah (Rtd) added that these measures are essential proactive steps to shield the state from the security challenges currently affecting other regions of the country.
