Insecurity: Afenifere opposes planned nationwide Okada ban

Pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere has stated that the plan by the Federal Government to ban commercial motorcycle and mining activities as part of its strategy to curb insecurity was another evidence that scientific thinking does not characterise decision taking in the corridors of power.

National Publicity Secretary of the group, Mr. Jare Ajayi, yesterday said, “the prescription is fatally wrong!”

It could be recalled that while announcing the plan by the government to ban commercial motorcycle and mining activities last Thursday, in Abuja, the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami, had noted that “placing a ban on the use of motorcycles and mining activities will cut the supply of logistics to the terrorists.”

But Ajayi said such a position indicated that availability of motorcycles popularly called okada was what had been fueling terrorism, along with mining activities.

He noted that motorcycle riding and mining had been in existence long before terrorism reared its ugly head, saying these could not have been the leit motif of terrorism.

“Also, to suppose that banning these activities would put a stop to terrorism is not only a wishful thinking, it amounts to an induced self-delusion that can only complicate the ailment that one is suffering from. Pursuing that line is leaving the substance to chase the shadow,” he added.

While conceding that terrorists were using motorcycles to perpetrate their dastardly acts, he argued that if motorcycles were not available, they would use some other means.

He stressed: “Thus, the vehicle being used by terrorists is not what government should focus its attention on but making sure that terrorism is taking out of the hearts of its perpetrators.

“We in Afenifere have said it repeatedly that government has not demonstrated that it is serious about combating terrorism. Various reports in the public domain have repeatedly indicated where those who are perpetrating evil against the country are and the methods they are using. Government and its security agencies are even privy to better information than the ones in the public domain. Yet, the government and its agencies still found it difficult to deal with the situation, as it should. We believe that this is not due to lack of capacity. Rather, it is due to lack of will – which is not in the interest of anybody, except those who have chosen the evil part. They must remember, however, that they cannot escape the wrath of God, even if they keep manipulating situations here.”