There is confusion among the residents of Borno State after President Bola Tinubu reportedly commissioned 3,000 electric motorcycles in the state despite an existing ban on the use of motorcycles across the state.
President Tinubu commissioned the electric vehicles on Saturday during a state visit to Borno.
It was reported that the fleet includes 3,000 electric bikes, 500 tricycles, 100 cars and 20 42-seater buses.
Speaking at the unveiling, the President had commended Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, and the people of the state, describing the initiative as a boost to mobility and transportation, particularly in rural areas.
“The electric vehicles, the tricycles, the charging terminals in their thousands ease the problems of mobility and transportation economy,” Tinubu was quoted as saying.
However, residents of the state have expressed confusion over the commissioning, questioning its purpose amid subsisting ban on motorcycles in the state.
Recall that on July 25, 2024, the Borno State Police Command reiterated the prohibition on the use of motorcycles, including electric and petrol-powered bikes, citing security concerns.
In a statement issued at the time, the Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Nahum Daso, said the decision was taken by the Borno State Security Council.
Daso had warned that violators would be arrested, adding, “Any person found in possession of Electric or petrol-powered motorbikes will be arrested for violating the order.”
The police also cautioned fuel stations against selling petrol to motorcyclists, stressing, “Filling stations are equally warned to desist from selling petrol products to customers on motorcycles.
“Any filling station found selling petrol to motorcyclists will be sanctioned and sealed for prosecution.”
Amid the confusion over the commissioning of the 3,000 electric bike, the police spokesperson reportedly said on Monday that the ban remains in force.
“As of now, the status quo remains; the enforcement of the ban on electric and petrol-powered bikes continues,” PUNCH quoted Daso as saying. “At the time, it came as an executive order from the governor, and he has not changed it.”
Similarly, the Senior Technical Assistant to the Borno State Governor on Print and Digital Communications, Abdulrahman Bundi, said the policy had not changed.
“This is a police issue. If the police confirm that the ban is still ongoing, just know that that is our position. It simply means that it is still in force,” Bundi reportedly said.
Reacting to the commissioning, several residents called on the state government to clarify the situation.
A resident of Polo in Maiduguri, Ibrahim Hassan, questioned the rationale behind unveiling the bikes.
“How will you come and commission 3,000 Motobikes that you have banned. Who will they share it with, or do they want to keep it till they lift the ban? They should clarify it officially so that we can know if to go ahead and buy it with our money,” he said, according to PUNCH.
Another resident, Alkali Adamu, also expressed concerns, saying, “I would like to ask a simple question. A few months ago, Governor Babagana Zulum banned the use of electric bikes in Maiduguri. Today (Saturday), however, the President commissioned electric bikes.”
“Who then is expected to use these bikes. Does this action by the president imply that the governor has lifted the ban? Unfortunately, our leaders often take actions that create confusion among the public,” he added.
Umar Aminu, another resident, welcomed the initiative but also called for clarity.
Aminu said, “We sincerely appreciate our governor for the many projects in the state, particularly the electric bikes he recently unveiled.
“However, we are worried about whether the government will only allow specific people to use such bikes or if the ban has been lifted. This we need to know so that we can go and buy with our money.”
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