Insecurity: Abia LGA chairman reduces Okada operation hours

The Executive Chairman of Ukwa West Local Government Area of Abia State, Dike Briggs Nwankwo, has directed that operations of commercial motorcycles in the council be restricted from 6:am to 6:pm daily, beginning on July 2, 2026.

The restriction was in response to some security challenges around the local government area, including the recent killing of a fresh graduate, Mr. Chinye Uche, whose motorcycle was stolen by his unidentified assailants, among other criminal activities.

A statement signed by Chidi Onyedikachi, the Chief Press Secretary to the local government Chairman, explained that the decision to enforce the restriction followed some extensive consultations with the Ukwa West commercial motorcycle  (Okada) operators’ union, security agencies, and relevant State authorities.

As part of the measures, the Ukwa West West LGA, in collaboration with the Commercial Motorcycle Operators’ Union, will commence identification and registration of all motorcycle operators within the Council, to improve security and monitoring.

In addition to the policy, all commercial motorcycle operators in the Council have been directed to relocate their loading and parking activities to the designated area in front of the market, as agreed with union leadership, to reduce obstruction at junctions, and for free flow of traffic.

The council further warned that any operator or individual found violating the approved operating hours or any of the directives would face enforcement measures, including impoundment of motorcycles, arrest and prosecution.

It further explained that the security measures were applied to protect the lives and property of indigenes of the council.