THE Nigeria Army has announced a ban on the use of motorcycles in forests in six of the seven states in North West Nigeria namely, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Kaduna, Sokoto, and Zamfara, as well as Niger State in the North Central.

The move, according to army spokesman, Sagir Musa, is aimed at curtailing the movement of armed bandits who are reported to carry out their criminal activities using motorbikes.

“Anyone caught using motorcycles within the named areas will be taken for an armed bandit, criminal and kidnapper with dire consequences,” Musa stated.

He expressed optimism that the ban would the activities of the armed gangs that have terrorised the  North West region for some time now.

Musa also urged the respective state governments to disseminate information about the ban, and help in enforcing the ban in conjunction with the security agencies.

50 persons killed in Zamfara

Meanwhile, at least 50 persons have been reported killed by armed bandits in an attack on three local government areas in Zamfara State. Many others were also injured in the attacks.

The attacks, which took place in communities in Maru, Gusau and Birnin Magaji local government areas, were carried out by men riding on dozens of motorbikes.

In one of the incidents, in Kunkilari village, gunmen opened fire where people had gathered for a naming ceremony, killing several people.

TheCable quoted the spokesman of the Zamfara police command, Muhammed Shehu, as confirming the attack on Kunkilari, saying, however, that only 10 persons died.

The report also quoted Clement Abiade, the spokesman of Operation Sharan Daji, the military operation aimed at stopping the activities of bandits in Zamfara and neighbouring states, as saying that some soldiers were injured during a bun battle with the criminals. They were rushed to the  Federal Medical Centre, Gusau, for treatment.

On Wednesday, four staff of Government Girls Secondary School in Zurü local government area of Zamfara state were kidnapped after bandits attacked the school while many of the residents were watching a football match.