Eid-el-kabir: 152 Commercial Motorcycles ‘Missing’ In Delta

No fewer than 152 commercial motorcycles have been reportedly ‘stolen’ by their riders for Sallah festivity in Asaba, the Delta State capital.

CityMirrorNews learnt that the move followed the ban on commercial motorcycle operations two weeks ago by the Delta State Government within the Asaba Capital Territory and some parts of the state, including Agbor town.

Although, the ban generated several conjectures from individuals and corporate bodies as the livelihood of many indigenes in the state was endangered, it has however stemmed down criminality in the affected areas.

Many of the riders on higher-purchase agreement, who were from the Northern part of the country, allegedly eloped with the motorcycles in their possession by travelling overnight for Sallah.

They were said to have arranged, in their large numbers, with trucks that brought consumable commodities from the North to Asaba and its neighbouring Onitsha in Anambra State, that helped them to ferry the motorcycles.

A businessman, who simply identified himself as Okechukwu, who trades in motorcycles and tricycles for youths from the North on higher-purchase returns, said he lost 16, out of the 42 he bought.

He said some of them told him they relocated to towns where they can operate but their phones were switched-off and no longer reachable since yesterday.

Also, a restaurant operator, Madam Eunice Rukevwe, lamented in Asaba yesterday that eight of her 15 motorcycles were stolen. She said:

“I still spoke with them on Saturday. They relocated to Ogwashi-Uku, the Delta Polytechnic town, which is the next local government area to Asaba. But since yesterday, they didn’t send their usual returns.

“Their GSM numbers are no longer reachable. My mother warned me when the ban was placed but I turned deaf ears. Since two days now, over 152 motorcycles cannot be traced by their owners.”

She lamented that the Northern man that used stand as their surety, which she called Seriki, left Asaba, immediately the ban was pronounced by Governor Sheriff Oborevwori.

Meanwhile, motorcycle repairers and part sellers were already diversifying to repairing tricycles and their parts to secure livelihood.

Students, market women and workers that have no cars, have adjusted to trekking short distances but waiting for tricycles for long distances.

The Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe, could not be reached for remark. His phone has consistently been not reachable.