Our correspondent reports that the ban was announced by the university’s Security Unit, with effect from Monday, June 29, 2026 at 10am.
The circular, signed by the acting Chief Security Officer of the university, Barr Okey Ambrose, said the decision was part of ongoing measures by the university management to strengthen internal security, enhance effective monitoring of movement, and ensure a safe and conducive environment for teaching, learning, research and other university activities.
Ambrose said, “Consequently, no motorcycles, whether privately owned or commercially operated, will be permitted within the university campuses from Monday, June 29, 2026. Any motorcycle found within the campuses after the enforcement begins will be impounded by the University Security Unit.”
He warned members of staff, parents, students, visitors, contractors and members of the public who use motorcycles to make alternative arrangements and park their motorcycles at designated locations outside the university gates before entering the campuses.
Those who spoke with THE WHISTLER said the ban would impose extra hardship on them. A lecturer, who does not want his name to be mentioned, said the directive “has no human face”.
According to him, “The cost of petrol has made the use of motorcycles inevitable. Most of us long parked our vehicles. I use a motorcycle because it’s cost effective. With this directive, movement within the campus will be very difficult. I hope our staff unions will intervene in this matter.”
Patrick Ezike is also a staff member of the university. “What should have been more appropriate is to profile the university workers that use motorcycles. They should be given numbers for identification. The university gate, from some departments, takes about one hour trekking. And this is a rainy season.”
A parent, Mrs Jennifer Okpe, said, “I drop my kids at the university primary school every morning using my bike. How does the management expect us to do school run under this ban? Let’s hope they are planning an alternative transportation means.”
Feelers within the university reveal that there are plans to launch the university’s tricycle transport scheme very soon.
“Some tricycles are already kept at some strategic locations, I can assure you,” says a security officer of the university on condition of anonymity. “The management wants to sanitise the transport sector of the university. Security is uppermost. The scheme will be intra-campus, while the buses that currently service the university routes from outside will be restricted to the gates. It is a necessary change.”
Recall that there was a security scare on campus of the university a few weeks ago following an alleged infiltration by suspected Fulani herders. Though the university denied the reports, it quickly deployed soldiers and police operatives at some vulnerable locations to forestall any untoward occurrences.
This paper also recalls the killing of a car dealer within the university a few years ago in a suspected cult-related clash. The suspects were however apprehended by the university’s security operatives, and being prosecuted.
