The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), has again cracked down on commercial motorcycles, known as ‘Okada,’ through its Directorate of Road Traffic Services (DRTS).
The director of DRTS, Dr. Abdulateef Bello, stated the zero-tolerance stance towards the menace of commercial motorcycles during an enforcement exercise in Kabusa, Abuja.
Bello stated this during a cracked down exercise of commercial motorcycles during the week in Kabusa, Abuja, to ensure a safe nation’s capital.
Represented by the Head of Operations, Deborah Osho, Bello revealed that the continued operation of Okada riders in the city had evolved from a traffic offense to a serious security breach, necessitating government intervention.
“The menace of commercial motorcycles is becoming so alarming. Resident hearts are always in their mouths whenever they close from work at about 6 pm and these okada riders take the law into their hands to unleash havoc on residents by stabbing them and robbing them of their valuables,” stated Bello.
He highlighted the reckless driving practices of Okada riders, often driving against traffic, contributing to accidents on the road. The DRTS, in collaboration with other agencies, is intensifying efforts to curtail their excesses and ensure the safety of residents, particularly in areas like Kabusa known for bag snatching and other criminal activities.
“We just made some arrests now, and we are going to crush some of them. One of the arrested okada men had a pen knife on him and this is what they use to do their ungodly act at night, leaving some residents either dead or alive with various degrees of injuries,” Bello added.
Residents using motorcycles for business were urged to adhere to the ban on okada within the city center and operate only in approved areas in satellite towns.
