On orders from the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, the Joint Task Force of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) seized and crushed no less than 500 commercial motorcycles on Thursday.
Last week, Wike issued an order to ban the Keke NAPEP drivers and commercial motorcycle riders from the streets of Abuja.
According to information obtained by journalalists, the operation was conducted under strict security while the motorcycle owners helplessly watched as the bulldozer destroyed them beyond repair.
The discovery was made as strategically important areas like Kpaduma II, Asokoro Extension, Galadimawa near the primary school, Gudu market, Kabusa junction, and Apo mechanic were being searched.
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Commissioner of Police, Garba Haruna stated that the action is a proof that the okada ban is still active.
“FCT residents are aware that motorcycles had been banned from entering the Federal Capital City since 2006, crushing of the okada is to show a signal that the city centre is not an area for them to operate.
“There are designated areas for them to operate, that is the suburbs of FCT, so the recalcitrant type will learn from this exercise. We don’t want to see any motorcycle in the city centre”, he said.