Wike considers restricting okada, tricycle operations in Abuja over security threat

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, says the FCT Administration is weighing restrictions on the operations of commercial motorcycles and tricycles within Abuja city centre as part of efforts to tackle rising insecurity.

Wike disclosed this on Tuesday during his monthly media briefing, saying the proposal followed recommendations by the FCT Security Council after intelligence reports allegedly linked the vehicles to criminal activities.

According to the minister, he has already approved additional logistics to strengthen security operations and directed security agencies to identify locations where the movement of commercial motorcycles, popularly known as okada, and tricycles, commonly called keke, should be prohibited.

He said security assessments indicated that criminals, including bandits, often rely on motorcycles to carry out their operations.

“Just this morning, I signed approval after we had a Security Council meeting, where we agreed that, beyond constituting a nuisance, they have become a security threat. From our security reports, bandits, when they don’t act, they use motorcycles,” Wike said.

The minister, however, ruled out an outright ban across the Federal Capital Territory, noting that such a measure would be impracticable because of Abuja’s size and the transportation needs of many residents.

Instead, he said the planned restrictions would focus primarily on the city centre.

“I’ve told the security agencies to map out areas where we do not need the Keke Napep and the motorcycle, but it will be difficult for you to ban them in the entire Abuja. Particularly within the city, it is necessary not to allow Keke Napep and Okada. They are working that out,” he said.

Wike also addressed the persistent presence of beggars on major streets in the nation’s capital, saying the administration’s efforts to evacuate them had produced only temporary results.

According to him, many of those removed from Abuja often return within a short period after being taken back to their states of origin.

He dismissed suggestions that the FCT should provide accommodation and feeding for the beggars, arguing that such a policy would encourage more people to migrate into the capital from neighbouring states.

The minister noted that Abuja’s proximity to Kogi, Nasarawa, Niger and Kaduna states makes the challenge more difficult, adding that the administration would continue to explore measures to keep the city secure and orderly.