By Michael Ovat – Awka
The Anambra State Police Command has alerted residents to an emerging pattern of criminal activities involving the use of motorcycles to facilitate robbery and other offences.
The information was contained in a statement signed and issued to Journalists in Awka, on Saturday, by the Command’s spokesperson, SP Tochukwu Ikenga.
According to Ikenga, the alert follows recent incidents, including the arrest of a motorcycle rider found in possession of a pistol during a stop-and-search operation in Nnewi, as well as a separate incident under investigation in Aguleri, where a motorcycle rider was reportedly attacked and dispossessed of his motorcycle and other personal belongings. The Aguleri incident tragically resulted in the death of the victim.
Preliminary observations indicate that criminal elements may be exploiting motorcycles to facilitate their movements and carry out robbery and other criminal activities, particularly against unsuspecting members of the public and fellow motorcycle users.
The Command has also observed that some motorcycle owners do not properly register their motorcycles or keep adequate ownership documentation. This can make it more difficult to identify, trace and recover motorcycles when they are stolen or subsequently used in criminal activities.
In view of this development, the Commissioner of Police, Anambra State Command, CP Nnanna Oji Ama, psc, mnips, has directed all Area Commanders and Divisional Police Officers to intensify sensitisation and community engagement with motorcycle riders’ associations, Presidents-General of communities, vigilante groups and other relevant stakeholders within their respective areas of responsibility.
The engagements are expected to strengthen community-based intelligence, improve the identification and documentation of motorcycles, enhance information sharing, and facilitate coordinated strategies to prevent criminals from exploiting motorcycles in the commission of robbery and other crimes.
The Command therefore advises all motorcycle owners and riders to ensure that their motorcycles are properly registered and that relevant ownership documents are readily available. Residents are also encouraged to promptly report suspicious motorcycle movements, persons or activities to the nearest police station or through established emergency communication channels.
The Commissioner of Police further urges motorcycle riders’ associations, community leaders and other stakeholders to cooperate with the Police by providing credible and timely information that could assist in identifying and disrupting criminal elements operating within their communities.
The Command reiterates that security is a shared responsibility and calls on Ndi Anambra to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious activities to the Police rather than confronting suspected criminals themselves.
