- Enforce ban on Abuja commercial motorcycles
BY VICTOR BUORO – The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command on Tuesday arrested 20 commercial motorcycles for violating the ban on motorcycles, popularly known as ‘Okada’ in some parts of Abuja, the nation’s capital.
In protest against the development, the commercial cyclists (Okada riders) obstructed and prevented the Vehicle Inspection Officers (VIO) from leaving their offices with some personnel being attacked by the irate cyclists.
However, the Police’s quick intervention ensured the situation did not deteriorate further even as the protesting motorcyclists took to the street, expressing their displeasure and anger at the government ban on their business and source of livelihood.
Commenting on the development, a statement by the FCT Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Josephine Adeh said: “Following the ban of motorcycles in some parts of the FCT by the FCTA, the FCT Command having held several meetings with the various heads of motorcycle units across the Territory activated an enforcement exercise at the various Divisional and Area command AORs.
“Today 26th July 2022, motorcycles numbering about 20 were arrested by Operatives of the Durumi Divisional Police Headquarters on an Enforcement round for violating the ban. The motorcycles were taken to the Division and subsequently handed over to the VIO for screening.
“Upon sighting the VIO at the Division, the errant motorcyclists, in their numbers, decided to obstruct the VIO from moving out of the station and started attacking the officers.
“The police swung into action, dispersing the violent motorcycles who took to the street to express their displeasure. No life was lost nor properties damaged. normalcy has since been restored.”
Meanwhile, the Command has urged members of the public to remain calm and not panic as they go about their lawful businesses while effective monitoring of the affected areas and surveillance by security agencies continues
