The Nigerian Federal Government on Thursday said it is considering a ban on the use of motorcycles, popularly known as okada as a means of transport and all forms of illegal mining.
The Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, told journalists at the Presidential Villa, Abuja after a meeting of National Security Council (NSC) presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari.
Malami said investigations have revealed that okada were being used across the country as a boost and for funds and transport for terrorists and bandits.
The Justice Minister, flanked by his Interior and Police Affairs counterparts, Rauf Aregbesola and Mohammed Dingyadi, said the meeting focused on the logistics used by the terrorists to stop their activities.
He said the government needed to act because terrorists had moved from the conventional ways of funding their activities to mining and ransom taking.
Malami said the motorcycles were used by the bandits for movement, while mining provides them the money to fund their arms supply.
On whether the government would consider the implications of the ban of motorcycles and mining activities on ordinary Nigerians and the economy, the Minister said the federal government would place national and public interests above individual interests.
While speaking, Aregbesola said substantial efforts went into gathering of intelligence before the recent attack on Kuje Correctional Center but regretted that there was the absence of will to act on it.
The minister, who said a preliminary report of investigation on the attack had been submitted to the President, assured that detailed report would be made available at the end of the probe.
He said those found to have abandoned their responsibilities would be punished.
