Enugu State Governor, Dr Peter Mbah, has reportedly relaxed the 9:00 p.m. ban on the operation of commercial Tricycles and buses to 10:00 p.m. for all motorists and directed that commercial tricycle (keke) riders should no longer be issued tickets under the previous enforcement arrangement.
NewsBits recalls that the former Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi-led administration had in early 2022, following security challenges at the time, banned the movement of Tricycles beyond 9:00pm, insisting that no Keke was permitted to operate beyond 9:00pm.
The press release issued then partly read, “following an emergency Security Council meeting held in Enugu State Government House today, Thursday, 24th February 2022 on the heels of the recent spike in insecurity in parts of the State and Executive Order No.1: 2022 dated 24th February 2022, the operation of Tricycle popularly called Keke, Motorcycle, otherwise known as Okada, and Tipper Truck have been banned forthwith in the following areas in the State:
“All communities in Nkanu East, Nkanu West local government areas and following communities/ neighborhoods in Enugu South LGA – Amechi Uno, Amechi Awkunanaw, Amechi Uwani, Obeagu Main, Obeagu Uno, Centenary City/ Obunagu, Obeagu, One day, Garki, Akwuke, Ugwuaji, Ndiagu Onunyo, Maryland and Ikiriki.”
The statement, however, advised members of the public to comply with the order and directed the security agencies in the state to enforce it to the letter.
NewsBits recalls that not less than 15 persons, including security operatives, had been killed in the state in less than two weeks before the ban. Incidences of kidnapping without trace had also increased in the state with little help from the security agencies since November 2022, before the current Governor Peter Mbah came into office in May 2023.
But Governor Mbah announced the decisions on Saturday, October 17, 2026, during the #OneMillionManMarch organised by the Tricycle Riders Union in Enugu.
Specifically, Governor Mbah emphasised that Keke operators will operate till 10pm in the state, extending the permitted movement time to 10:00pm for commercial motorists and other road users.
Governor Mbah also directed an end to the ticketing of commercial tricycle operators, otherwise known as keke riders, under the previous enforcement arrangement.
The rally also witnessed the endorsement of Governor Mbah and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu by members of the union.
NewsBits reports that the latest directives are expected to ease movement restrictions, provide additional operating hours for commercial transporters and allow residents more time to conduct their legitimate businesses.
