The Anambra State Police Command has alerted residents to an emerging pattern of robbery and other criminal activities involving the use of motorcycles across the state.
The warning was contained in a statement issued on Saturday by the Command’s Police Public Relations Officer, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, following recent incidents involving motorcycle riders.
The Command said the alert followed the arrest of a motorcycle rider who was found with a pistol during a stop-and-search operation in Nnewi.
The police also disclosed that a separate incident was under investigation in Aguleri, where a motorcycle rider was reportedly attacked and dispossessed of his motorcycle and other personal belongings.
The incident, according to the Command, resulted in the death of the victim.
The police said preliminary observations suggested that criminal elements could be exploiting motorcycles to facilitate their movements and carry out robbery and other offences against unsuspecting members of the public and fellow motorcycle users.
The Command also raised concern over the failure of some motorcycle owners to properly register their motorcycles or keep adequate ownership documents.
According to the police, inadequate documentation could make it difficult to identify, trace and recover motorcycles after they are stolen or used in criminal activities.
The Commissioner of Police, Anambra State Command, CP Nnanna Oji Ama, has consequently 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 stakeholders.
The engagements are expected to strengthen community-based intelligence, improve motorcycle identification and documentation, enhance information sharing and support coordinated efforts to prevent criminals from using motorcycles to commit robbery and other offences.
The Command urged motorcycle owners and riders to ensure their motorcycles are properly registered and that relevant ownership documents are readily available.
Residents were also advised to promptly report suspicious motorcycle movements, persons or activities to the nearest police station or through established emergency communication channels.
CP Ama further called on 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 in their communities.
The Command reiterated that security is a shared responsibility and urged Ndi Anambra to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities to the police rather than confronting suspected criminals themselves.