Governor Fintiri Reviews Tricycle Curfew for Ramadan 2026

Muslim faithful in Yola will have an extra hour of commercial tricycle service during Ramadan following Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri’s decision to review the nighttime restriction on Keke Napep operations in the state capital.

The Adamawa State government announced Thursday that the existing curfew, which previously ran from 10:00 pm to 5:00 am, will now commence at 11:00 pm throughout the 2026 Ramadan period. The adjustment takes immediate effect and applies to the Yola North, Yola South, and Girei Local Government Areas.

According to a statement signed by Humwashi Wonosikou, Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, the one-hour extension is specifically designed to allow Muslim faithful to attend late-night tafsir sessions with ease during the holy month.

Tafsir sessions, which involve Quranic interpretation and teachings, are central to Ramadan observance in Northern Nigeria. These gatherings often run late into the evening, and transportation challenges have historically made attendance difficult for residents living in areas not easily accessible on foot.

The tricycle curfew itself dates back to February 2021, when the Adamawa State government imposed restrictions on the movement of tricycles and motorcycles through Executive Order No. 1 of 2021. That directive was part of broader measures to strengthen public safety and security in areas where tricycles and motorcycles had been used in criminal activities.

The restrictions reflected security concerns that weren’t unique to Adamawa. Across Northern Nigeria, state governments have grappled with how to balance the transportation needs of residents against the reality that motorcycles and tricycles have sometimes been exploited by criminals operating under the cover of darkness.

For Yola residents who depend on Keke Napep for daily mobility, the 10:00 pm cutoff has meant planning evening activities around the curfew or finding alternative transportation. During Ramadan, when religious activities extend later than usual, that restriction created particular hardship for those wanting to participate in community worship.

Governor Fintiri’s review acknowledges this tension between security requirements and religious observance. The statement from his office emphasized that the adjustment demonstrates government commitment to supporting religious practice while maintaining what it described as gains recorded in peace and security across the state.

The one-hour extension may seem modest, but for tricycle operators who lost income during the restricted hours and for passengers who needed late-night transportation, it represents meaningful relief during a month when economic activity and religious participation both intensify.

However, the governor made clear that the security considerations behind the original restriction haven’t disappeared. According to The Gazette News (Nigeria), Fintiri has directed security agencies to intensify patrols in Yola North, Yola South, and Girei through the deployment of additional personnel to safeguard lives and property during the extended operating hours.

The statement included a warning that any breach of the law will be dealt with decisively, signalling that the extended hours don’t mean relaxed enforcement. Security agencies will be watching to ensure the accommodation doesn’t create vulnerabilities that criminal elements might exploit.

Residents of Adamawa State received an appeal from the governor to continue acting responsibly and avoid actions that could undermine the peace and stability currently enjoyed. The appeal urged all to sustain what Fintiri called the spirit of unity and peaceful coexistence that defines Adamawa State.

That framing positions the curfew adjustment as part of a social contract: government provides flexibility for religious observance, and residents demonstrate responsibility that justifies the trust being extended.

For tricycle operators in Yola, the immediate practical effect means an additional hour of earning potential each night during Ramadan. One hour multiplied across the roughly thirty days of Ramadan represents significant income for drivers who operate on thin margins and depend on daily earnings to support their families.

Passengers benefit from reduced pressure to rush home before 10:00 pm and increased options for attending evening programs at mosques throughout the three local government areas covered by the restriction.

The timing of the announcement, coming just as Ramadan preparations intensify across Muslim communities in Adamawa, suggests the government wanted to communicate the policy change early enough for residents to plan accordingly rather than discovering the adjustment after the holy month had already begun.

Whether the extended hours will continue beyond Ramadan or become permanent depends on how the trial period unfolds. If security agencies report no significant incidents and the accommodation proves workable, future policy adjustments might build on this precedent.

For now, the revised restriction from 11:00 pm to 5:00 am represents Governor Fintiri’s attempt to balance competing priorities: maintaining security measures that have contributed to relative peace in Yola while demonstrating sensitivity to the religious needs of Adamawa’s Muslim population during their holiest month.

As Ramadan approaches, Keke Napep operators are preparing for longer working hours, security agencies are planning intensified patrols, and Muslim faithful are looking forward to attending tafsir sessions without worrying quite as much about how they’ll get home afterwards.