The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has reaffirmed that the use of motorcycles popularly known as ‘Okada’ for transport remained banned in unauthorised districts in the nation’s capital.
The Head of Operations, Directorate of Road Traffic Services, DRTS, Osho Deborah stated this in Abuja when she led the team to impound several motorcycles around Idu, NASENI routes in the FCT.
The operation was carried out to clear miscreants that usually disguise and parade themselves as Okada riders to attack innocent citizens in area.
Osho said the clean-up of the area became necessary following outcries from residents of Idu axis over the excesses of motorcycle riders who attack residents by snatching their bags at nights.
She noted that DRTS is committed to carry out its mandate towards enforcing traffic rules compliance and to rid adamant Okada riders still operating in unauthorised Districts of Abuja.
“We cannot be tired. It is our mandate to rid the FCC, especially of commercial motorcycles, and that is what we are doing. As long as they continue violating the rules and laws of traffic and transportation in the FCT, we will continue picking them up.
“Idu NASENI, EFCC Area are part of FCC Phase 2, Okada are not to operate there. We have letter of complain from residents on the menace of Okada riders that is the reason why we visited the place.
“Someone said by 6 O ‘clock you cannot pass this street because Okada riders will snatch your phone. We know what they are doing. So, the fines does not work again, we are even looking for a stiffer punitive measures to make sure that we rid the city of Okada menace,” Osho said.
She also assured that the DRTS would approach the court as usual to get approval for the crushing of the motorcycles, to serve as deterrent.
Speaking on the security implications, the Secretary, Command and Control FCTA, Dr Peter Olumuji corroborated that the operation was a fallout of Idu- Karmo residents passionate appeal to stem the tide of insecurity in the area.
“Especially those who live around Idu, Karmo axis, they have being complaining about the nefarious activities of these motorcyclists who are not even meant to operate in those places,” Olumuji said.
Responding to insinuations from some quarters that the recently distributed motorcycles by the FCT minister to security agencies were part of the impounded motorcycles, Olumuji describes such insinuations as an unpatriotic misconception and untrue.
“Contrary to what people are saying, that seized motorcycles are been converted for security purposes by the FCT Minister, well this is a misconception by those who have refused to make enquires on the true picture of things.
“The bikes that were inaugurated by the FCT Administration some few weeks ago is meant for security operations. It is not for commercial, but for security purposes, and it is not even the bikes impounded by the Directorate of Road Transport Services, DRTS.
“Those bikes were specially bought for security operations. The security agencies, the vigilante and hunters who are complementing their efforts can now go into those difficult and mountainous areas in the boarder communities and a lot of arrests have been made because of the use of those bikes in difficult terrains,” he said.