The Anambra State Police Command has alerted residents to an emerging pattern of criminal activities allegedly involving the use of motorcycles to facilitate robbery and other offences across the state.
The Command’s Police Public Relations Officer, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, disclosed this in a statement made available to journalists on Saturday.
According to Ikenga, the alert followed recent incidents, including the arrest of a motorcycle rider during a stop-and-search operation in Nnewi, where a pistol was allegedly recovered from his possession.
He also disclosed that a separate incident in Aguleri, which is still under investigation, involved the attack and robbery of a motorcycle rider. The victim reportedly lost his motorcycle and other personal belongings and was killed during the incident.
The Police said preliminary observations suggested that criminal elements could be exploiting motorcycles to facilitate their movements and commit robbery and other offences, particularly against unsuspecting members of the public and fellow motorcycle users.
The Command also raised concerns over the failure of some motorcycle owners to properly register their motorcycles or maintain adequate ownership documentation.
According to the Police, the absence of proper documentation can make it difficult to identify and trace stolen motorcycles or determine their legitimate owners when such motorcycles are recovered or linked to criminal activities.
Consequently, the Commissioner of Police, Anambra State Command, CP Nnanna Oji Ama, directed 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.
The engagements are expected to improve motorcycle identification and documentation, strengthen community-based intelligence and enhance information sharing between residents and security agencies.
The Police urged motorcycle owners and riders to ensure that their motorcycles are properly registered and that relevant ownership documents are readily available.
Residents were also advised to promptly report suspicious motorcycle movements, individuals or activities to the nearest police station or through established emergency communication channels.
The Commissioner further urged motorcycle riders’ associations, community leaders and other stakeholders to provide credible and timely information that could assist security agencies in identifying and disrupting criminal elements.
The Command stressed that security remains a shared responsibility and urged residents to remain vigilant and avoid confronting suspected criminals themselves, instead reporting suspicious activities to the Police.
By Enitan Mudashiru | MUK TV News
