The Anambra State Police Command has alerted residents to an emerging pattern of criminal activities involving the use of motorcycles to facilitate robbery and other offences.
The alert follows recent incidents, including the arrest of a motorcycle rider who was found in possession of a pistol during a stop-and-search operation in Nnewi.
In a separate incident in Aguleri, which is currently under investigation, a motorcycle rider was reportedly attacked and dispossessed of his motorcycle and other personal belongings. The incident tragically resulted in the death of the victim.
Preliminary observations by the Command indicate that criminal elements may be exploiting motorcycles to facilitate their movements and carry out robbery and other criminal activities, particularly against unsuspecting members of the public and fellow motorcycle users.
The Command also observed that some motorcycle owners do not properly register their motorcycles or maintain adequate ownership documentation. According to the Police, this can make it more difficult to identify, trace and recover motorcycles when they are stolen or subsequently used in criminal activities.
In response to the development, the Commissioner of Police, Anambra State Command, CP Nnanna Oji Ama, has directed all 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 within their respective areas of responsibility.
The engagements are expected to strengthen community-based intelligence, improve the identification and documentation of motorcycles, enhance information sharing and facilitate coordinated strategies to prevent criminals from exploiting motorcycles in the commission of robbery and other crimes.
The Command therefore advised motorcycle owners and riders to ensure that their motorcycles are properly registered and that relevant ownership documents are readily available.
Residents were also encouraged to promptly report suspicious motorcycle movements, persons or activities to the nearest police station or through established emergency communication channels.
The Commissioner of Police further urged motorcycle riders’ associations, community leaders and other stakeholders to cooperate with the Police by providing credible and timely information that could assist in identifying and disrupting criminal elements operating within their communities.
The Police Public Relations Officer, Anambra State Command, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, said the Command reiterates that security is a shared responsibility and called on Ndi Anambra to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious activities to the Police rather than confronting suspected criminals themselves.
