From Scholastica Onyeka, Makurdi
Ahead of the yuletide season, Catholic Bishop of Makurdi Diocese, Most Rev. Wilfred Anagbe, has called on commercial motorcyclists, popularly called “okada riders” in Benue State to expose criminals in their midst, for smooth operations of their business and the safety of residents.
The Commissioner of Police in the state, Wale Abass, also warned the motorcyclists to desist from carrying out jungle justice against suspects.
Bishop Anagbe gave the advice at a thanksgiving Mass organised by the Benue Motorcycle Association (BEMOA), at St. Peter’s Catholic Church, Low Level, Makurdi.
He urged them, particularly those operating in Makurdi, to give intelligence to security agencies about criminal characters among them, stressing that when the criminals in their midst are flushed out, their business would thrive.
Represented by the Superior General Via Christi, Rev. Fr. Theophilus Hwande, the bishop prayed for their safety and urged them to heed his call and support the security agencies to nip insecurity in the bud.
Also, the Commissioner of Police, Benue State command, Wale Abass, represented by the Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Catherine Anene, said there has been a cordial relationship between the okada riders and the police in the state.
The CP disclosed that plans were on to set up okada/police joint task force to rid the BEMOA of bad members.
He cautioned them against jungle justice and advised them to report cases to the police instead of taking laws into their hands. The CP urged them never to allow themselves to be used by politicians during electioneering campaigns, saying they should go about their jobs with decorum.
The Sector Commander, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), CC Ibrahim Mohammed, represented by DRC Kanshio Thomas, said the road is important, but does not forgive when it is misused. He told the gathering that most of the road crashes were caused by human factors that could have been avoided, such as alcohol and recklessness. He expressed the hope that the coming together of okada riders would ease their work in the state.
President, BEMOA, Mr Matthew Nyiutsa, thanked Bishop Anagbe for his advice and said they were planning to profile their members to fish out the bad eggs amongst them.
The Ter Makurdi, Chief Vincent Aule, also appealed to okada riders to be security conscious, adding that they remain the highest employer of labour, both in town and in the rural areas.
Earlier in his homily, Fr Richard Igyor cautioned the group to abide by their code of conduct while their chaplain, Fr.Adaga Benjamin, appreciated all for gracing the event and appealed to all okada riders in the state to be law abiding, especially during the yuletide.