Nigeria’s government is considering imposing a ban on the sale and use of motorcycles across the nation.

• The ban is part of an effort to hamper terrorist group movement in the country.
• Motorcycles is the primary mode of transportation for bandits in Nigeria. 

In an unusual development, the government’s ban on motorcycles is an effort to stop terror attacks.

According to Nigeria’s Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, motorcycles is currently the primary mode of transportation used by the terrorist group in the country. 

The banning would immediately hamper the group logistics.

“Placing a ban on the use of motorcycles and mining activities will cut the supply of logistics to the terrorists.

“This will be done in the national interest. We are Nigerians because Nigeria as a country exists and any issue that will translate into a threat to national security or the corporate existence of the country requires certain sacrifices,” he said.

According to reports, members of the terrorist group known as ‘bandits’ mainly use motorcycles to carry out their activities, including killings and kidnapping. 

Just last week, Governor Bello Mattawale of Zamfara State announced a curfew for motorcycles in the town of Gusau. 

He also directed his security personnel to shoot on sight anyone caught riding a motorcycle between 8 pm to 6 am. 

While the nationwide ban is still under consideration, it would certainly have huge implications, especially for the majority of its population that depends on two-wheelers as a mode of transportation to go on their daily lives.

Nigeria is currently the world’s sixth most populated country, with an annual motorcycle sales figure of more than 500,000.