The Lafia Branch Chairman of the National Association of Okada Riders, Uba Yahaya, has revealed that a devastating wave of violence has claimed the lives of 10 commercial motorcyclists in the Nasarawa State capital over the last two months. Speaking out against the relentless attacks plaguing his members, Yahaya disclosed that the victims were brutally murdered by armed syndicates who targeted them solely to snatch their motorcycles. The association chief voiced deep concern over the escalating insecurity facing Okada riders in Lafia, noting that the frequency of these fatal ambushes has left local operators in constant fear for their lives while trying to earn a living.

Validating the grim reality of the situation, Yahaya emphasized that his leadership role brought him face-to-face with the human cost of these crimes, as he personally attended the burial services of every single slain rider. “We ourselves have attended the funerals of 10 people,” the grieving chairman stated, underscoring that these are not just statistics but real members of his community cut down in their prime. By documenting and showing up for each funeral, the association aims to highlight the severe security crisis gripping the state capital and pressure law enforcement agencies to urgently hunt down the killers and restore safety to the streets.

All their motorcycles were taken away. All of them! They were killed,” he said. He described how the killings are carried out, citing one case of how a rider was hit with a club along the bypass.

He also recounted another incident where a rider was stabbed “straight to his heart” and had his skull smashed. “Some came and were admitted to the hospital with injuries, with their motorcycles taken away,” he added.

The association chairman noted that security in the area has taken a severe turn for the worse, completely reversing the temporary relief brought on by recent state government interventions. According to Yahaya, the initial success of the government’s security measures caused local operators and authorities to lower their guard, allowing ruthless criminal syndicates to regroup and strike back with greater intensity. While the threat remains constant, the chairman revealed that the vast majority of these deadly ambushes now occur during the vulnerable evening hours between the Islamic Maghrib and Isha prayers, though daytime attacks are also being recorded.

To execute these thefts, criminals have adopted highly sophisticated deceptive tactics, including posing as stranded passengers or mechanics to lure unsuspecting victims into isolated areas. Alarmingly, Yahaya alleged that these syndicate members are now weaponizing the official, government-issued commercial motorcycle jackets—originally distributed to enhance safety—to camouflage themselves and bypass riders’ defenses. He cited a recent, tragic incident where a young operator was completely blindsided and robbed of his bike because the thieves wore these official jackets, effectively using the community’s trust and uniform to isolate and overpower him.