The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, has disclosed that the FCT Administration is considering banning commercial motorcycles, popularly known as Okada, and tricycles, also called Keke Napep, from Abuja’s city centre.
Wike made the disclosure during a media chat with selected journalists in Abuja on Tuesday, saying the move is part of efforts to tackle rising security concerns and curb criminal activities in the nation’s capital.
According to the Minister, the recommendation followed a meeting of the FCT Security Council, where intelligence reports allegedly linked the use of motorcycles to criminal operations.
He noted, however, that enforcing a total ban across the entire Federal Capital Territory would be difficult, adding that the restriction would be more feasible within the city centre.
“Apart from this, as you know, 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.
