Despite the continued enforcement of the ban on commercial motorcycles in Taraba State, residents of Jalingo, the state capital, have raised fresh concerns over a resurgence of armed robbery and other violent crimes allegedly being carried out with the use of motorcycles.
The renewed wave of insecurity has heightened fears among residents, particularly in communities along the ATC–Roadblock axis, Nukkai, Nya’ma Salla and Mallam Jo’da, where victims say armed robbers have repeatedly attacked homes under the cover of darkness, using motorcycles to facilitate their operations and escape.
The development comes amid broader security concerns in Taraba State, where residents continue to grapple with kidnapping, banditry, communal clashes and other criminal activities across different parts of the state.
The use of motorcycles in Jalingo was prohibited in 2012 by the administration of the late Governor Danbaba Suntai following two separate bomb explosions in the state capital during the height of the Boko Haram insurgency.
The attacks, which involved motorcycles carrying explosive devices, prompted the Taraba State House of Assembly to enact legislation imposing a total ban on motorcycle operations within the metropolis.
Although enforcement has varied under successive administrations, Governor Agbu Kefas’ government reaffirmed the ban in January 2024 and constituted a special task force to enforce compliance and prosecute violators.
However, despite the ban remaining legally in force, motorcycles have gradually returned to the streets of Jalingo. Many residents attribute the resurgence to the removal of fuel subsidy by the Federal Government, which significantly increased transportation costs and made motorcycles a cheaper alternative for commuters.
Security analysts and residents now fear that the illegal return of motorcycles is providing criminals with a fast and effective means of carrying out attacks and evading security operatives.
Residents of Nukkai, particularly along the ATC–Roadblock corridor, who spoke with Akelicious, said they have experienced repeated armed robbery attacks in recent weeks.
According to victims, the robbers usually arrive in groups on several motorcycles, with each motorcycle carrying up to three occupants.
One of the victims, Joseph Nkowanta, described how the criminals carry out their operations.
“They come to our area in large numbers. Each motorcycle usually carries three persons. They mostly carry cutlasses. They divide themselves into groups. While some remain on the motorcycles as standby, others enter houses to rob residents. After collecting money and valuables, they quickly escape on the motorcycles,” he said.
Another victim, a petty trader identified as Madam Ferico, recounted her ordeal during an attack on June 30, 2026.
According to her, the armed robbers invaded her residence at about midnight.
“They forcefully dragged me into my bedroom. They were carrying a POS machine. They collected my ATM card, inserted it into their machine and withdrew all the money in my bank account. They also took away my Android phone. They used many motorcycles,” she said.
Residents say such attacks have become frequent, leaving many families living in fear and resorting to self-help security measures at night.
Beyond Nukkai, residents also alleged that some youths operating around Nya’ma Salla and Mallam Jo’da have been using motorcycles to perpetrate crimes, including armed robbery, cult-related violence and thuggery.
Community members have appealed to security agencies to intensify surveillance and strictly enforce the existing motorcycle ban to prevent further deterioration of security within the state capital.
The spokesperson of the Taraba State Police Command, ASP Victor Msherizar, confirmed to Akelicious that the command is aware of the recent security challenges confronting parts of Jalingo and other areas of the state.
“The ban on motorcycles is still in place as imposed by the state government, and the command is aware of the recent security challenges in the state. Be rest assured that operational readiness is in place to checkmate and bring to book anyone found engaging in such actions,” he said.
The police spokesperson reaffirmed that the command remains committed to tackling criminal activities and urged residents to continue providing useful information to support ongoing security operations.
Despite the official ban, Akelicious observed that motorcycles continue to operate openly in several parts of Jalingo.
At various police checkpoints across the metropolis, security personnel were seen stopping and arresting motorcycle operators found violating the ban.
However, residents expressed concern that many offenders are often released after arrest and soon return to the streets with their motorcycles, raising questions about the effectiveness of enforcement efforts.
Many residents believe stronger prosecution of offenders and sustained enforcement of the motorcycle ban are necessary to curb the growing wave of armed robbery.