Traffic sanity returns to Umuaka as “motorcycle boys” embark on Irish goodbye.
2 min read
In the last couple of days, starting from last week, normalcy seems to have returned to major roads in Umuaka as “motorcycle boys” have reportedly embarked on a sudden Irish goodbye (French leave) due to some certain reasons beyond their control. It is a well-known fact that young Akalites and their friends from other neighbouring towns usually form convoys of motorcycles on daily bases, riding aimlessly and recklessly on major roads in the community. This madness has at several times led to the death of some of them and their victims.
It was observed last week by some road users that the “motorcycle boys” have disappeared from the roads in their large numbers. Umuaka Times gathered that several factors were responsible for the sudden disappearance of the boys from the roads in and outside the Umuaka community.
The first factor that played a major role in driving the boys out of the roads is the sudden increase in the pump price of premium motor spirit otherwise known as petrol. Most of the “motorcycle boys” found it extremely hard to buy fuel at the cost of over N500 per liter. “Motorcycle boys” are known to be spending a good number of hours on their bikes on several roads in the community. This in return consumes several litters of fuel, too hard for them to keep up with. For this reason, the boys signed off from the roads.
Another reason Umuaka Times gathered was the clampdown on motorcycles with no number plates by Njaba Police Station and Aka Ebe Iri security outfit. The police authorities in Umuaka have several times complained that most of the motorcycles in the community have no number plates and ordered them to go get their number plates but a large number of them ignored the order. Because of the rising wave of insecurity in the community at present, the Police authorities have used the opportunity to seize the motorcycles with no number plates. To run away from the “police wahala”, the Umuaka based ”motorcycle boys” in the words of Jimmy Cliff, went into the temporary House of Exile.
The final reason which is perhaps the most dangerous is the unending motorcycle hijacking in the community and her environs. Many armed robbery activities have so far been reported in the community where some of the victims were either shot dead or made to suffer serious injuries. The fear so far shown by the “motorcycle boys” has indeed saved them from dangers and perhaps early graves. For now, nobody knows when it will be safe for them to start their motorcycle obsession once more.
