Abia State Government has ordered all tricycle operators to stop operating on the Umuahia–Obowo–Owerri route.

It also directed the immediate stoppage of tricycle movement from Umuahia to Ohafia and Arochukwu, with a directive that all defaulters be arrested.

In a statement, the state’s Commissioner for Transport, Chimezie Isaac Ukaegbu, said the measure was aimed at ensuring sanity, order, and safety on the state’s roads.

He warned that any tricycle operator found violating the directive would be arrested, adding that the tricycle belonging to the violator would be impounded.

The government urged all affected tricycle operators, popularly known as Keke NAPEP, as well as members of the public, to comply with the directive.

Responding to panic among operators in Umuahia, Ukaegbu said the policy was targeted only at long-distance journeys, stressing that it was not a total ban on tricycles in the state.

“Keke (tricycle) operators are not banned from operating in Abia State.

“The restriction only applies to the use of tricycles for long-distance passenger transportation to destinations such as Owerri, Obowo, Mbaise, and Arochukwu,” Ukaegbu said.