Motorbikes banned in Northern nigeria

Motorbikes have been banned from the northern Nigerian city of Maiduguri to prevent drive-by attacks by the radical Islamist sect, Boko Haram.

The group's trademark has been to use gunmen on motorbikes to assassinate security officers and politicians.

Officials said no-one would be able to ride motorbikes at any time in the city, Boko Haram's stronghold.

At least 40 people have been killed in Maiduguri, the main city in Borno state, in the past two weeks in attacks blamed on the group.


Boko Haram is fighting for Islamic rule and has rejected talks with the government.

Last month, the group said it had carried out an attack on the headquarters of the Nigerian police in the capital, Abuja, which killed at least six people.