Some commercial motorcycle riders in Maiduguri in Borno State are now wearing painted calabash as crash helmet in disguise.Our correspondent, who monitored the use of helmets in various parts of Maiduguri yesterday, reports that some of the commercial motorcyclists were seen in some bus stops wearing what was confirmed to be painted calabash even though they were meant to look like helmets.

The riders, when asked why they devised that strategy, lamented that it was because crash helmets are too expensive as they cost over N3, 000 besides being scarce.

Borno State Commandant of the FRSC Mr. Chidi Donatus Eddeh confirmed to Daily Trust through a telephone interview yesterday that his command was aware that some okada riders were wearing painted calabash to deceive law enforcement officers. He said the new development was unfortunate even though his command was yet to make any arrest.

He also said that besides using calabash, the road safety was aware that some other okada riders now use large empty cans or plastic plates with semi circle shapes and then tie ropes around them to look like helmets when sighted from a distance.

Eddeh added that some others, who believed they were doing the right thing, make use of industrial helmets rather than crash helmets endorsed by the road safety.

The commandant said those who have devised a means of replacing the helmets with any other things were deceiving themselves because in the event of accidents such things on their heads will not guide against deadly head injuries which crash helmets are designed to curtail.

He also said the FRSC was going to intensify its enforcement and take appropriate actions on those wearing calabash, empty cans and plastic plates. He said the command was being soft on those using industrial helmets because the policy had just taken off but that not long from now the road safety will equally fine those using industrial helmets since they have no use.