Insecurity: Again, DRTS crushes 639 motorcycles

By Stanley Onyekwere

A total of 639 commercial motorcycles, popularly called okada impounded for allegedly operating within restricted areas in Abuja, the Nigeria’s capital city, were yesterday crushed.
The crushing exercise was carried out by the FCT Administration through its Directorate of Road Traffic Services (DRTS).
Explaining the exercise, DRTS Director, Dr. Abdulateef Bello alleged that most of the okada operators used the motorcycles for one-chance, snatching of bags, mobile phones, drug peddling and other dangerous crimes in the Federal Capital City.
Bello explained that in the past the motorcycles were causing traffic but currently it has changed to other crimes.
He said: “The crushing is in continuation of our usual exercise for the removal of commercial motorcycles that still operate within the city in line with the ban that has been established since 2006 by the Federal Capital Territory Administration.
“We have had this exercise in series and I’m sure by now is no more news that we will continue to impound commercial motorcycles that continue to ply in the Federal Capital City.
“Today, we have crushed 639, the idea of crushing them is to serve as deterrent to those who still don’t believe that there is a ban on their activities in the Federal Capital Territory.
“We have discovered that in the initial plan these motorcycles were causing traffic gridlock but currently is beyond just the traffic, is now security threat in the lives and property of residents of the FCT.
“Most of the motorcycles are used in promoting criminal activities ranging from one-chance, snatching of bags, mobile phones and drug peddling, even much more dangerous crimes in the city.”
Also speaking, the FCT commissioner of Police, Haruna Garba, said the exercise was one of the strategies to flush out criminals in the city.
Garba, who was represented by Mode Magawata assistant Commissioner of Police, operations, said the locations where the motorcycles were apprehended are in the metropolitan area, which does not speak well of the seat of power.
Collaborating, the deputy commander critical national assets and infrastructure, Hussain Pama said most of the scavengers being arrested are brought in the city from the suburbs by the okada operators.
“There is no how we can fold our hands and allow criminality to take over the Federal Capital Territory, all have been provided for us, we must enforce the ban.
“The okada will bring them, then they will hide and operate in the night. Without okada how will they come in the city midnight?
“Motorcycles are the main people promoting crime in the city”, he said.