Eze Justin Ezeala bans Obinwanne motorcycle boys for 1 month.
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The traditional ruler of Obinwanne Umuaka Autonomous Community, HRM, Eze Justin Uzoma Ezeala, Eze Nwanne of Obinwanne Umuaka Kingdom has banned with immediate effect, the use of motorcycle by Obinwanne boys on the highways and outside Obinwanne community. This ban came as a damage control measure and safety initiative following the shooting of two Obinwanne boys at a checkpoint between Umuaka and Orlu last week. According to the reports Umuaka Times gathered, the motorcycle boys were coming from a burial ceremony from Orlu in a convoy before they suddenly met the military checkpoint and the soldiers ordered them to stop. Perhaps out of fear or out of disobedience, they refused to stop and the soldiers opened fire on them. Two boys among them sustained heavy bullet wounds. Following this incident, Eze Justin Ezeala immediately placed the ban on the motorcycle boys by restricting their movements to Obinwanne roads alone. One of the victims of the shooting, Mr Maduka Nwoke, died two days later from the injuries he sustained from the gunshot.
In a message to Umuaka Times last week about the ban, the royal father pointedly told Umuaka Times that the primary duty of any leader is to ensure the safety of lives and property of his subjects and went further to explain why he put the ban in place.
“I acknowledge your write ups and campaign against the nuisance caused by the motorcycle boys in Umuaka. The recent incident with the military underscored the imperative to bring the issue under control.”
I have placed an initial ban for one month against the boys from my community. I have set up a task force to enforce the total ban on anyone without a verifiable means of livelihood riding a motorcycle beyond the confines of Obinwanne Umuaka. Any violator will have the motorcycle seized and sold and the proceeds donated to the community.
I will review the situation after one month to determine if I need to extend the ban.
Last month I addressed the youths of my community on the need for them to be cautious during these difficult times and avoid anything that could bring them in conflict with security forces. I will continue to reinforce this message of safety and restraint.”
From Umuaka Times observations, this order is being carried out to its fullest terms and the motorcycle boys are totally cooperating with the order as well.
Before the royal father sent in the order to Umuaka Times, Chief Celestine Agu, the Traditional Prime Minister of the Obinwanne community had already alerted Umuaka Times about the ban. He condemned the activities of the motorcycle boys in Obinwanne and entire Umuaka Municipal Council in outright terms.
