Robbery attacks rise in Jalingo as motorcycles return to streets despite ban

Residents of Jalingo, the Taraba State capital, have expressed growing concern over a surge in armed robbery and other criminal activities, which they say has coincided with the increasing return of motorcycles to the city’s streets despite an existing government ban.

Many residents allege that armed robbers now rely on motorcycles to carry out coordinated attacks before escaping from crime scenes.

Motorcycles were banned in Jalingo in 2012 during the administration of the late Governor Danbaba Suntai after they were used on two occasions to detonate explosive devices at the height of Boko Haram activities in the state.

Although the ban has remained in force, the administration of Governor Agbu Kefas reinforced its enforcement in January 2024 by establishing a task force to arrest violators.

However, following the removal of fuel subsidy by the Federal Government, which significantly increased transportation costs, motorcycles have gradually returned to the roads as many residents sought cheaper means of transportation.

Residents of the Nukai community, particularly along the ATC–Roadblock axis, said they have experienced repeated night-time robberies in recent weeks. They claimed the attackers often arrive in groups on motorcycles before carrying out their operations.

“They come to our area in their large numbers, each motorcycle use to carry 3 persons, they mostly use Cutlasses, they always divide themselves, while some of them station on the motorcycles and remain on standby, others will go in and conduct the robbery, after collecting money, they use the motorcycles and zoom off,” Mr. Joseph Nkowanta, one of the robbery victims, told our correspondent.

Another resident and petty trader, Madam Ferico, recounted how armed robbers invaded her home in the Nukai area on June 30, 2026.

“They forcefully draged me into my bedroom, they were carrying ATM Machine, they collected my debit card, inserted into their machine and emptied all the money from my account, they also took away my Android Mobile Phone, they were using motorcycles in large numbers.”

Residents also alleged that some youths in the Nya’ma Salla and Mallam Jo’da areas have been using motorcycles to engage in criminal activities, including cultism, robbery and thuggery.

Reacting to the development, the Police Public Relations Officer of the Taraba State Command, ASP Victor Msherizar, confirmed that the police are aware of the recent security concerns across parts of the state.

“Good morning sir, sorry network was bad last night when you called, the ban on motorcycle is still in place as been imposed by the state government and the command is aware of the recent security challenges in the state be rest assured that operational readiness are in place to checkmate and bring to book anyone found which such actions.” The police spokesman said.

A visit by our correspondent to several police checkpoints within Jalingo showed that security operatives continue to arrest motorcyclists who violate the ban. However, residents claim many offenders soon return to the roads, raising concerns over the effectiveness of enforcement and the growing security threat in the state capital.