Kogi Police give 30-Day Ultimatum To Motorcyclists

THE Kogi State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Samuel Adeyemi Ogumjemilusi, has given commercial motorcyclists under the Motorcycles Riders   Association in the state a 30-day grace to   get registered or face   the wrath of the law. 

 Ogumjemilusi gave the ultimatum during familiarisation meeting with the association at the police headquarters in Lokoja yesterday against the backdrop that motorcyclists have been associated with some crimes in the state.

“I am giving you one month for compliance because it is an existing order,” Ogumjemilusi said. 

He said that the   order had became   imperative as within a week of his resumption, the command registered four cases of robbery perpetrated by suspected motorcyclists.

  He said the bombardment of the Boko haram enclave in the Northeast is another course for worry, adding   than many displaced insurgents who are running away from the hand of the law may come to operate in the state under the cover of the association, if checks are not put in place. The commissioner, therefore, called on the leadership of the union to immediately ensure there is a method for identifying the members of the union through proper registration.

 He admonished motorcycle riders in the state not to allow himself to be used as pawns in the chessboard of crime in the state.

 Ogumjemilusi said although many of the motorcycle riders were struggling genuinely to make ends meet, criminal elements were also hiding under their canopy to cause havoc in the state. 

“The Okada riders have made themselves willing tools for armed robbery and kidnapping,” he said.

 “You are men of honour, determined to live honourable lives. We also want you to help us reduce crimes and criminalities. Help us to identify non-members for us to flush them out before they mar your image and bring trouble to you. I will not sit here to watch Okada riders snatch bags, kidnap people.‎”

 Chairman of the association, Mr. Olaniyan Bamidele, said his members were honourable men who had passed through the four walls of the university, but have settled to ride motorcycle because of unemployment.