The Kano State House of Assembly has officially clarified that the Kano Road Traffic Agency (KAROTA) does not have the legal authority to arrest traffic offenders, stating that the agency has been operating beyond its established mandate.

During a press briefing on Tuesday, House Majority Leader Lawan Hussaini Dala emphasized that KAROTA's legitimate role is limited to ensuring the free flow of traffic and preventing congestion, not apprehending individuals who violate traffic regulations.

"It is not KAROTA's responsibility to arrest individuals for committing traffic offences. Their role is to ensure free flow of traffic and prevent congestion," Dala stated, highlighting that many of the agency's current activities exceed its legal framework.

In a significant development, the Assembly has passed a bill establishing the Kano State Traffic Law Enforcement and Management Agency, which will now be vested with full powers to arrest, fine, and prosecute traffic law violators across the state.

"The new agency will have full powers to arrest and prosecute anyone who breaks traffic laws in Kano," Dala explained, drawing a clear distinction between the mandates of the two organizations.

The Assembly has pledged to closely monitor the operations of the newly established agency to ensure it functions strictly within its legal boundaries. According to lawmakers, once Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf signs the bill into law, the agency will commence full operations aimed at improving traffic management and generating additional revenue for the state government.

This clarification comes amid growing concerns about KAROTA's expanded activities in recent years, with some residents questioning the agency's authority to conduct arrests and impose fines on motorists.

The Assembly's intervention appears designed to establish clearer boundaries between traffic management and law enforcement in Kano, potentially resolving jurisdictional conflicts that have arisen in the state's transportation sector.