The Return Of Motorcycles In The FCT, A Call For Concern
Ganiat Balogun, Abuja
The Federal Capital Territory has put a ban on the use of commercial motorcycles popularly known as Okada within the metropolis. The ban which was first pronounced in 2006 by the then minister, Mallam Nasir Ahmed El-Rufai, has been sustained by successive FCT ministers. The activities of Okada riders have been restricted to the satellite towns to commute passengers within the suburbs.
The ban on motorcycles was borne out of the need to maintain sanity in Nigeria’s capital city and to reduce drastically, numerous cases of accidents by those who use Okada. Of importance, the ban was for security reasons following rising waves of armed robberies and terrorism.
To sustain the ban over the years, the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) and other security agencies like the Nigeria Police Force, Civil Defence and the Directorate of Road Traffic Services (DRTS) have maintained a joint-task force to clamp down on Okada found in the restricted areas. Such motorcycles are impounded and crushed with heavy-duty machines in Gosa, along the airport, a place earmarked for the destruction of the seized items. After the motorcycles are reduced to scrap metals, the remains are often sold to recycling companies and the proceeds from the sales are reportedly used to fund social amenities.
On the contrary, a drive across the city recently, from the popular Area 1, where the Okada riders operate unhindered, through the stretch to Area 3 junction, Apo bridge towards Gudu area, Apo resettlement to Lokogoma, Lokogoma to FMC, Jabi axis, back to the airport road where the riders drive against traffic, they take one-way while the Police men and VIO officials stationed around those axis look away. Okadas now operate unabated within the restricted areas, their flagrant return has posed security challenges to residents. There have been reports of phone-snatching and incessant attacks, mostly done with the use of motorcycles.
A victim, Seyi Muse, described a frightening encounter she had with two men on a motorcycle about 7am around the stadium in October. According to her: “I was dropped off as usual by a neighbour who gives me a lift on his way to work. On that fateful day, as I alighted from his car and crossed over to the bridge that connects the stadium, I was walking down towards a curved road close to the fence of the National hospital. In a swift, a motorcyclist just pulled over quietly and his passenger brought out a long knife and demanded my phones. In panic, I threw my phone at him and they sped off immediately.
Another victim, Mr. Tony Tonikan said: “In the early morning around Wuye junction, as I was taking a walk, a motorcyclist pulled close to me and threatened to stab me with a dagger he brandished if I did not cooperate with them. I was stripped off my phone and other valuables.”
With the recent ruling by the Court of Appeal in Abuja, that affirmed the ban against Vehicle Inspection Officers(VIO) from impounding vehicles or imposing fines on motorists, how will the FCT be sanitized?
When contacted to speak on the return of Okadas in the metropolis and the ruling of the Appeal Court, the Chairman of Conference of Directors and Chief, Road Traffic Officers of the Federation, Mr. Durojaiye Babawale Olalekan said: “The pronouncement on the ban of Okadas in the FCT dates back to 2006 as well as tricylces and they have been able to suppress the menace of attacks with the collaboration of sister agencies and other area commands. But, with this court pronouncement, they are now handicapped, and there is a limit to what they can do”.
The 2024 FCT Police Command’s statistics on crime rates in the Federal Capital Territory indicated a 15.1% reduction in crime in early 2025. But armed robbery, theft, kidnapping and drug abuse persist.
The Command made 1,077 arrests out of 1,426 cases reported. The reported cases include: 104 kidnapping, out of which 216 suspects were arrested, while 68 victims were rescued. 268 armed robbery, with 132 arrests while N409,992,000 were recovered from various crime cases.
In the event of the recent proclamation by the Supreme Court on the DRTS, it behoves on the Nigeria Police, Civil Defence Corps and other relevant agencies to increase capacity and maintain law and order on our roads.