Soldiers Impound 78 Motorcycles In Ukum And Katsina-Ala

*Hands them over to state govt

The Benue State Government has received 78 motorcycles impounded in Ukum and Katsina-Ala local government areas by troops of Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS).

The handing over ceremony of the motorcycles took place at the office of the Security Adviser to the Governor, Lt. Col. Paul Hemba (rtd) at Government House Makurdi on Saturday.

Benue State security had placed a ban on the use of motorcycles in two local government areas (Ukum and Katsina Ala), following increase in violent crimes.

The Commander of Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS), Major-General Adeyemi Yekini presented the 78 motorcycles to the Security Adviser.

In his brief remark, Lt. Col. Hemba (rtd) said the seized motorcycles were part of vehicles impounded from those who flouted government’s order in the area.

“You are here to witness the hand-over of seized motorcycles from Katsina-Ala and Ukum. 78 motorcycles were handed over to the state government by Commander OPWS. They are part of motorcycles arrested from Ukum and Katsina Ala local government areas.

Hemba noted the state security council took the decision to ban motorcycles in the areas as they were being used for criminal activities ranging from kidnapping, armed-robbery and bandit attacks on harmless farmers.

“Some of the impounded motorcycles belong to bandits while some also belong to other people who flouted the ban order of the state government.

Asked about allegation of burning of impounded motorcycles by the military, the Security Adviser said the allegation might be isolated incidences and could be propaganda by bandits to discredit OPWS.

He said traditional rulers and other stakeholders in the area have appealed to the state government for ladies machines to be excluded, adding that the security council will meet to ratify the appeal soon.