Delta Police motorcycle seizure sparks outrage as activist alleges 2,500 bikes were sold off illegally, violating riders’ rights and due process

Delta Police motorcycle seizure operations have come under intense scrutiny after a human rights activist, Mr Victor Ojei, accused the Delta State Police Command of illegally selling over 2,500 seized motorcycles without any lawful process.

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Ojei, who is the Director General of the Young Nigeria Organisation, told South-South PUNCH on Monday that the seizures took place during a security crackdown in Asaba, the state capital.

He alleged that the motorcycles — owned by commercial riders, many of whom are from marginalised backgrounds — were impounded without court orders, and later sold off in what he described as a premeditated black market operation.

“Over 2,500 motorcycles belonging to struggling Okada riders were seized and taken to the state police headquarters. According to our internal sources, months later, the CP allegedly sold off all the bikes without any court-backed forfeiture,” Ojei said.

He described the act as a gross violation of fundamental human rights, raising concerns of targeted ethnic profiling, economic sabotage, and corruption within the Police Command.

Ojei further claimed that efforts by his organisation to recover the motorcycles through peaceful dialogue were deliberately frustrated.

“We were denied audience. It became clear that there was a conspiracy to sell the bikes under the table. This is fraud and punishable under the ACJA, ICPC, and EFCC Acts,” he stated.

Ojei warned that such incidents risk eroding public confidence in law enforcement and questioned the accountability mechanisms within the Delta Police structure.

In response to the allegations, the Command’s spokesperson, SP Bright Edafe, denied any wrongdoing.

He clarified that the motorcycles were confiscated following a government-enforced ban on Okada operations within the Asaba capital territory.

“There was no time those bikes were sold or auctioned. The motorcycles were confiscated by the Delta State Government after all due process was followed,” Edafe said.

He stressed that the police merely carried out directives in accordance with the law and dismissed any claims of corruption or unauthorised disposal of property.

However, the activist maintains that no official auction or legal forfeiture ruling was made public, calling for an independent investigation into the matter.

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The development has reignited debates over law enforcement conduct, the plight of informal workers, and transparency in government-sanctioned property seizures.

Delta Police accused of illegal motorcycle seizure, sale