In a determined bid to curb crime on Abuja’s roads, the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) impounded 40 cars and 52 motorcycles, targeting unpainted commercial taxis and transport operators who flouted traffic rules.
The multi-agency task force, which included police, civil defence, and other security bodies, led the crackdown and focused on vehicles linked to kidnapping and “one chance” robberies.
On Monday, Mandate Secretary of the FCT Transport Secretariat, Chinedu Elechi, inspected the seized vehicles at the Wuye Command of the Directorate of Road Traffic Services (DRTS) and discussed the operation.
“These motorcycles will go for crushing under court orders, while we will take the cars to mobile courts before further action,” Elechi explained.
“We don’t just impound vehicles; we also bring the owners before the law, following judicial processes.”
Ongoing Enforcement
He warned that enforcement would continue.
“If operators keep using unpainted vehicles illegally, we will act.
Our teams will continue across the FCT as long as violations persist,” he added.
Elechi highlighted that criminals often exploit unpainted vehicles.
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“There must be order.
The government has a duty to safeguard citizens.
Criminals often use unpainted taxis to commit ‘one chance’ crimes,” he said.
Regulating The Transport Sector
To regulate the sector, the FCTA will register and paint all commercial taxis, assigning each a unique number so commuters can identify legitimate operators.
Acting Director of DRTS, Deborah Osho, said the task force also seized four tricycles for traffic offences and criminal links, including bag-snatching.
“We conduct these operations to restore order and security on Abuja’s roads,” she said.
Meanwhile, new bus terminals are already receiving vehicles, and the government will begin full operations once it engages private operators under a public-private partnership.
