Jos community protests police seizures of parked motorcycles

Residents of Gada Biu area of Jos, the Plateau State capital, have protested what they termed wrongful seizures of motorcycles by men of the Nigerian Police, especially vehicles not in use by anyone but parked in certain places.

A resident told Daily Trust that the police operatives in the latest development came to Living Faith Church area in Gada Biu and began rolling motorcycles packed in front of shops into their navy blue hilux cars, while some of the policemen climbed the motorcycles and rode away.

“All the motorcycles thus seized were parked and the owners buying things from nearby shops,” the resident said, adding that such action amounted to stealing.

Another resident who corroborated the story, said people of the area came out and surrounded the police vehicle, leading to altercation that almost turned violent.

When contacted, the Plateau State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Tyopev Terna, said the action of the police was lawful because the law banning motorcycle operation in Jos and Bukuru metropolis was an executive law duly passed by the state House of Assembly.

The PPRO said the law clearly stipulated that there should be no use of motorcycle in Jos and Bukuru metropolis, whether it is commercial or private motorcycle.