On Thursday, the Joint Task Force of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) destroyed more than 470 motorcycles that had been seized for operating illegally in Abuja, the nation’s capital.
The team seized the motorcycles as part of an operation that started at the Carwash Bus Stop in Lugbe and travelled through Gosa, Bill Clinton Drive, Trademore Estate, Lugbe Junction, and Kubwa.
According to OBASANJO NEWS24, on August 31, during a related operation for the same offence, approximately 400 motorcycles were previously seized and destroyed.
The decision to crush the motorcycles was made in accordance with the law, Mr. Obokutom Nyah, Secretary, Transportation Secretariat, FCTA, told reporters during the exercise.
Commercial motorcycle riders were forewarned by Nyah to confine their operations to permitted locations, avoid the city centre, and stop endangering public safety.
He added that commercial motorbikes are only permitted to operate in the suburbs and that different types of vehicles are allowed in specific regions.
We thus urge operators to respect their bounds because doing so would subject them to the full force of the law, he said.
Additionally, Mr Abdulateef Bello, Director of the FCT Directorate of Road Traffic Services, remarked that the city’s excessive motorbike traffic was out of control.
In addition, Bello noted that currently 200 to 400 motorcycles are confiscated on a weekly basis and that the taskforce would expand operations to include the night.
As part of its efforts to step up enforcement, he continued, the taskforce was considering arresting locals who ride motorcycles.
In order to ensure their personal safety, he recommended locals to learn to walk short distances instead of using motorcycles.
The FCTA will use its resources to stop them, the director further urged those considering investing in commercial motorbike businesses.
