The Area Commanders and Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) in Enugu have been directed to confiscate and impound mini-buses and tricycles that operate beyond 9:00 pm in the state.
The State Commissioner of police,CP Amani who gave the directive stated there was an existing order on the restriction which many of the operators had been violating, adding that “as a result, crime and criminality have increased.”
The directive was contained in a statement issued by the police spokesman, Daniel Ndukwe.
The statement read in part, “The Enugu state Police Command wishes to inform citizens of the state, particularly operators of mini buses and tricycles, that the order of the state government restricting the operational time of mini-buses and tricycles in Enugu metropolis from 6:00am to 9:00pm daily is still in force and shall be enforced to the letter.
“This is in view of the flagrant violation of the order by some of the operators and the reported cases of criminal activities perpetrated with the aid of mini buses and tricycles in the city and its environs.
“Consequently, the Commissioner of Police has directed Area Commanders, Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) and Tactical/Operational Commanders of the Command to re-double their efforts and ensure the strict enforcement of the Order in a professional manner.
“He orders them to ensure that violators are arrested, their mini buses or tricycles impounded and that they are prosecuted in the Special Court setup by the state government to handle cases of violation of the Order.
“He warns that the Police will henceforth deal decisively with violators of the Order, including unrepentant criminals among them.”