Delta Police Warn Tricycle Riders: ‘Handnote’ Not Valid, Drivers Risk Arrest

The Delta State Police Command has warned tricycle operators across the state to obtain and carry all required vehicle and driving documents, stressing that the use of “handnote” is no longer recognised as a valid document.

The warning follows recent complaints by some tricycle riders who alleged that they were arrested around the Effurun axis for presenting handnotes as proof of valid documentation.

Some of the affected riders had questioned the arrests, arguing that the handnotes were allegedly issued by police officers in the first place.

However, speaking during a telephone interview, the Delta State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe, dismissed the continued use of handnotes, saying there was no longer any provision for such a document.

“Anyone still issuing it to any driver across the state is just extorting the drivers,” Edafe said.

The police spokesman further warned that motorists and tricycle operators who drive or apply for road use without valid driver’s licences and other required documents would be arrested and prosecuted.

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He urged all drivers to ensure that their documents were complete and valid to avoid unnecessary arrests and prosecution.

Speaking on when enforcement would begin, Edafe said some police divisions across the state had already commenced arrests, urging tricycle riders and other motorists to regularise their documentation without delay.

“Some divisions have started arresting already, so they should go and get their documents ready now,” he said.

The clarification is expected to address the recent controversy between police officers and tricycle operators in parts of Effurun and Warri over the validity of handnotes as a means of identification or proof of documentation.