By Ikwen Atuaka/Linus Ogar
The fight to checkmate the use of commercial motorcycles to commit crimes in Obudu took a different twist earlier this week as all members of the union will now have to wear special identification tags.
This was made known by the new Community Relations Officer representing the constituency, Hon. Emmanuel Akwagiobe.
Emmanuel, a former councilor in the council says he believes that once “one of those committing these acts knows he can easily be identified through the tag, the urge to carry out, and indulge in illegal and unlawful acts will no longer be there.”
He remarked that this has become necessary because hoodlums now hide under the guise of commercial cyclist and commit crimes and escape without being identified.
He appealed to cyclists in the area to assist travellers especially those who may arrive late to Obudu at night and not to use them as their prey.
Hon Akwagiobe also used the occasion to appeal to cyclists who indulge in cultism to renounce membership of such groups and to face their ‘Okada’ business without fears of being molested by opposing groups.
He charged the union members to always channel their grievances to his office for amicable dialogue instead of taking laws into their hands.
He also disclosed that before tags were issued, the commercial cyclists’ details, such as passport photograph, phone number, village and several other personal information will be taken in what he says is a step towards the rebranding of the Commercial Cyclists Union, Obudu (C.C.U.O).
To ensure compliance, he said any cyclists not wearing the tag or yet to register will not be allowed to use the road.
The Special Adviser to the Council Chairman on Security, Patrick Agogo, in his remarks lauded the idea and pledged his support to the program which according to him is premised on the number of complaints of crimes perpetrated with the aid of commercial cyclists.
The event had in attendance the heads of security agencies operating in the local government area as well as commercial cyclists operating within the Obudu main town and its outskirts.
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