. . . Warns Topba, Others
By: Morrison Kpazoo
Chairman of the Motorcycle Operators Union of Nigeria (MOUN), Khana Branch, Comr. Festus Biibaloobari Nnaa, has issued a strong warning to individuals and groups allegedly using the name of Okada riders to challenge the authority of the Khana Local Government Council.
Speaking in a statement made available to journalists on recent protests and radio comments credited to some persons including Gani Topba, Comr. Nnaa said the union was never consulted and does not support any action aimed at confronting the local government chairman, Dr. Thomas Bariere.
According to him, the union enjoys a cordial relationship with the Khana Local Government administration and was duly consulted before the restriction on motorcycle operations from 8pm to 6am was introduced.
He explained that the decision was taken following complaints by riders over criminal attacks, loss of motorcycles and insecurity in the area, adding that the restriction has already yielded positive results as criminal incidents involving motorcycles have drastically reduced in Bori.
Nnaa stressed that genuine okada riders are currently in discussions with the council over proper documentation and profiling of operators to distinguish real riders from criminal elements who allegedly hide under the guise of commercial motorcycle business to perpetrate crimes at night.
The union chairman further clarified that reports claiming the council extended operational hours to 10pm were false, explaining that the temporary extension happened only for one day after a stakeholders’ meeting with security agencies lasted beyond the usual closing time.
He also denied claims that the union organized any nighttime protest, insisting that genuine riders would never protest without due process or without informing union leadership and security agencies.
“If Okada riders are embarking on any protest, I should be the one leading it. Those who protested at night are not genuine members of the union. Some of them cannot even ride motorcycles. They are criminal elements sponsored to cause confusion,” he said.
The Union chairman maintained that Gani Topba does not speak for the union, noting that he has never consulted or visited the union office before making public statements in the name of Okada riders.
He warned politicians and other persons against using the name of the motorcycle union to pursue personal interests or destabilize the local government, emphasizing that the union remains committed to peace, lawful operations and cooperation with authorities in tackling insecurity in Khana Local Government Area.
