ABIA STATE GOVT PUBLIC ADVISORY ON THE REGULATION OF COMMERCIAL MOTORCYCLE (OKADA) OPERATIONS
The Abia State Government wishes to inform the general public that the restriction of commercial motorcycle (Okada) operations within designated areas of the State is a public safety and security measure undertaken in the overriding interest of protecting lives and property.
Government recognizes that thousands of hardworking citizens depend on motorcycle transportation for their livelihood, and we fully appreciate the concerns this policy may raise for affected operators and their families. As a people-centered Government, this was not an easy decision.
However, the safety and security of our citizens must always remain paramount. No economic consideration can outweigh the value of human life. The primary responsibility of Government is to ensure that residents can live, work, and move about in a safe and secure environment.
This policy is not directed at any ethnic group, community, or category of persons. It applies uniformly to all affected operators and is solely intended to enhance public safety, improve orderliness, and support ongoing efforts to safeguard lives across the State.
Government is committed to implementing this policy with fairness, professionalism, and respect for the dignity of all citizens. We are also engaging relevant stakeholders and exploring practical measures to ease the impact on those who may be affected.
IMPORTANT IMPLEMENTATION UPDATE
- Penalties shall take effect from Monday, 29th June, 2026.
- All motorcycles previously impounded may be reclaimed free of charge after forty-eight (48) hours, subject to verification and documentation requirements.
- The Twenty Thousand Naira (₦20,000) penalty shall only be enforced from Monday, 29th June, 2026.
- Any penalty amount already collected before the effective commencement date shall be refunded accordingly.
- Private motorcycles shall continue to enjoy free passage but must be duly registered and documented in the State, and are not permitted to carry any passengers.
- A toll-free public complaints system has been established to enable members of the public report any misconduct, extortion, abuse, or infractions by Task Force personnel.
Citizens Toll-Free Numbers: 0800000232 | 08001235555 | 08002225242
ASHTF Contact Numbers: 08067955559 | 08050725566 | 09122223825
- All motorcycles already impounded must first be duly registered and documented before release.
- All Commercial Motorcycle Operators must wear the officially approved Abia State-issued Identification Vest while operating within their approved jurisdictions.
- All motorcycles, tricycles (Keke), and commercial vehicles operating within Abia State must henceforth be duly registered and documented in accordance with Government regulations.
We therefore appeal to all residents, transport operators, community leaders, and members of the public to remain calm, cooperate with the authorities, and support this initiative in the collective interest of our State.
There is no cause for panic. This policy is about protecting lives, preserving peace, and building a safer Abia for everyone.
ABIA STATE GOVERNMENT
Protecting Lives, Preserving Peace, Building Prosperity!
Signed:
Prince Okey Kanu
Hon. Commissioner for Information
23-06-2026
The Abia State Government has issued a public advisory on the regulation of commercial motorcycle (Okada) operations across designated areas of the state, reaffirming that the policy is aimed at enhancing public safety, protecting lives, and maintaining order.
In a statement signed by the Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu, the government explained that the restriction is a security-driven measure designed to safeguard residents and their property while improving traffic management and public order.
The government acknowledged that thousands of citizens rely on commercial motorcycle transportation for their daily income and admitted that the decision may pose challenges for many operators and their families. However, it stressed that the protection of human life remains a top priority and must take precedence over economic considerations.
According to the statement, the policy is not targeted at any ethnic group, community, or category of individuals. Instead, it will be implemented uniformly across all affected operators as part of broader efforts to strengthen security and ensure safer communities throughout Abia State.
The administration further assured residents that the policy would be enforced with fairness, professionalism, and respect for the rights and dignity of all citizens. It added that engagements with relevant stakeholders are ongoing to identify practical solutions that will reduce the economic impact on affected operators.
Key Implementation Updates
The government announced that penalties associated with violations of the regulation will officially commence on Monday, June 29, 2026.
Motorcycles previously impounded can be reclaimed free of charge after 48 hours, subject to verification and documentation procedures. Authorities also clarified that the ₦20,000 penalty will only become enforceable from June 29, while any fines collected before the official commencement date will be refunded.
Private motorcycle owners will continue to enjoy unrestricted movement, provided their motorcycles are properly registered and documented within the state. However, private motorcycles are prohibited from carrying passengers for commercial purposes.
To promote accountability and prevent misconduct, the government has established a toll-free complaints system for residents to report cases of extortion, abuse, misconduct, or other infractions allegedly committed by task force personnel.
Citizens can contact the toll-free lines via 0800000232, 08001235555, and 08002225242.
Additional task force contact numbers are 08067955559, 08050725566, and 09122223825.
The government also directed that all motorcycles already impounded must undergo proper registration and documentation before they can be released.
Furthermore, all commercial motorcycle operators are required to wear officially approved Abia State identification vests while operating within their approved areas of operation.
The directive equally extends to tricycles (Keke) and all commercial vehicles operating within Abia State, which must now be duly registered and documented in accordance with existing government regulations.
The state government appealed to transport operators, community leaders, and residents to remain calm, cooperate with authorities, and support the initiative in the collective interest of building a safer and more peaceful Abia State.
It reiterated that the policy is not intended to create hardship but to strengthen security, preserve peace, and protect the lives of all residents.
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The statement was signed by Prince Okey Kanu, Commissioner for Information, on June 23, 2026.
