Maroua commercial bike-riders on strike

The strike movement by commercial bike-riders in Maroua brought a lot of activities in the capital of the Far North to a standstill on August 5, 2015.

To demonstrate their dissatisfaction towards the authorities, 'moto-taxi' drivers entirely parked their motors, forcing everyone to go on foot in the town where motorbikes remains the primary means of transport.

"It is through commercial bike-riders that some suicide attacks were foiled in this city; the attacks that have killed several people. But today we are impounded by those who are supposed to protect us, "said Hamidou, commercial bike-rider.

Several bikes are seized, daily, at the various checkpoints located in the town of Maroua. The machines are then taken to police stations.

"When you get to the control point, you are asked for the same documents. You are able to get your bike by paying hard earned cash at the station. It is a great disappointment! They ask for our collaboration in the fight against Boko Haram and they harass us again. I'm afraid my colleagues may no longer work,” worried Bouba said.

The president of the commercial bike-riders’ union in Maroua, Ballarabé Issa, was called upon to calm these bike-riders who have decided to park their machines against these controls they deem "exaggerated".