The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, has signalled a major crackdown on commercial motorcycles (Okada) and tricycles (Keke Napep), revealing plans to ban their operations in selected parts of the nation’s capital.
Speaking during his monthly media chat, monitored by our correspondent, Wike cited pressing security concerns and intelligence reports directly linking motorcycle operators to criminal activities and banditry across the territory.
According to the Minister, the decision followed a strategic meeting with the FCT Security Council, which recommended targeted restrictions to curb growing lawlessness in the capital.
Wike said: “Beyond constituting a nuisance, they have become a security threat. From our security reports, bandits, when they don’t act, they use motorcycles. I signed an approval just this morning after our Security Council meeting to address this”.
While acknowledging the logistics and transportation demands across the expansive territory, Wike clarified that a blanket ban across the entire FCT would be impractical.
Instead, he said security agencies have been tasked with mapping out high-risk zones, particularly within the city centre, where operations will be prohibited.
“It will be difficult to ban them in the entire Abuja, but it is necessary within the city not to allow Keke Napep and Okada. They are working that out,” he explained, adding that logistical support has already been approved for security agencies to execute the operation.
Addressing another growing urban challenge, the Minister expressed frustration over the influx of beggars and destitute persons into the metropolis.
He highlighted that despite continuous repatriation efforts, many return within weeks due to Abuja’s central geography and proximity to four neighbouring states, Kogi, Nasarawa, Niger, and Kaduna.
Rejecting calls for government-funded housing and feeding programmes for displaced beggars, Wike argued that such initiatives would only incentivise further migration into the capital.
“How can you fund that? It is not possible. If you do that, it means you are encouraging people to leave neighbouring states for Abuja. We tried to take them back, but the next month, they are back. Abuja is surrounded by four states, making it a complex issue, but we will do the best we can,” Wike affirmed.
Source: The Nation
