Motorcycles prohibited in the Far North Region

The Governor of the far North has prohibited the circulation of bikes and restricted travel by motorcycles on all main roads connecting the urban centers of the region.

On 07 August, the Governor of the region of the far - North Midjiyawa Bakary, took two orders regulating the traffic in his area: "to count from the date of signature of this order, the movement of vehicles from 7 o’clock is systematically prohibited on all main roads connecting the urban centers of the region of the far North.

To count from the date of signature of this order, the movement of motorcycles is systematically prohibited by day and night in rural areas", the Governor decided.

Midjiyawa Bakary took these acts following a meeting with his security staff, following an overnight attack by terrorists of the Boko Haram sect in Zigague.

Security experts exhibited to the head of the region a film on the causes of the attack. According to them, the attack took place around 2:00 pm. It was led by some twenty men from Nigeria, about 6 km from the town on bikes.

The military were 10 km away when they learned by telephone that assailants were advancing. The latter attacked villagers and blocked road users. The attack lasted 15 minutes total, said soldiers.

The military said that the bandits have taken advantage of three major factors. In addition to intelligence of accomplices infiltrated in the population, the proximity of the border allowed the entry and exit of the terrorists.

Others argued that the measure of restriction of the movement of motorcycles in the city of Maroua, taken a few months earlier by the predecessor of Midjiyawa Bakary had brought results. As a result, night attacks had disappeared. They advised the Governor to prohibit motorbikes.

As a result, the Governor took its decisions, but the region questioned the applicability of these acts. Are military vehicles also affected by these decisions? If no, the terrorists have such vehicles and uniforms.