El-Rufai Bans ‘Okada’ Operation, Others To Curb Insecurity In Kaduna

Kaduna State Governor, Malam Nasiru El-Rufai, has banned the operation of Okada Riders throughout the state.

He said the government has noticed that over the years, criminals and bandits ravaging the state are using the machines to carry out atrocities.

The governor who spoke through the Commissioner for Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan also announced other measures which the government wants to enforce to ensure that the ongoing onslaught by criminals and bandits against innocent people of the state especially in Zaria, Birnin Gwari and most local government areas in Southern Kaduna are brought under control.

El-Rufai noted that henceforth, the government will not allow interstate transportation, of animals, the felling of trees, renting out one-room apartments for Okada Riders to stay in large numbers, operation of hotels especially those with women, the selling of petrol in jerrycans, and interstate transportation of goods and services at night.

According to him, Kaduna state had recently lost several innocent people in attacks and somehow counter-attacks in the southern part of the state, this is one area his government completely eliminated when he became governor.

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Kaduna which is known for communal crisis in the past has not been the same under his administration due to the measures put in place together with his determination to deal with those responsible for such unfortunate incidences.

Similarly, the state has partially banned communication services in some local government areas and may be extending the ban to other parts of the state if it will assist security agencies to easily track criminals in their hiding places.

Though the ban directive was issued on Friday, the ban on Achaba activities and the directive that Napep Operators should work from 6 am to 7 pm is being abused as people are still going about their businesses especially in the satellite areas.

However, government agencies in charge of enforcing the ban are monitoring the issue so as to know the next measure in case of abuse.