FCTA-DRTS Impounds Motorcycles At Idu

The Federal Capital Territory Administration, FCTA, through its Directorate of Road Traffic Service, popularly known as VIO, has impounded several motorcycles around Idu, NASENI routes.

The operation was carried out to clear miscreants who usually disguise and parade themselves as Okada riders to attack innocent citizens in the area.

The Head Of Operations, Directorate Of Road Traffic Services, DRTS, Deborah Osho stated this in Abuja when she led the team on the operation.

She said the clean- up of the area became necessary following an outcry from residents of Idu axis over the execesses of motorcycle riders who engage in bag snatching at night.

Osho noted that DRTS is committed to carry out its mandate towards enforcing traffic rules compliance to rid off adamant Okada riders that still operate in unauthorized Districts of Abuja.

“We cannot be tired.It is our mandate to rid the FCT, especially of commercial motorcycles. And that is what we are doing. As long as they continue violating the rules and laws of traffic and transportation in the FCC, we will continue picking them up”.

“Idu-NASENI, EFCC Area are part of FCC Phase 2, Okada are not to operate there. We have a letter of complain from residents on the menace of Okada riders that is the reason why we visited the place…Someone said by 6 O ‘clock you can’t pass this Street because Okada riders will snatch your phone. We know what they are doing. So, the fine doesn’t work again, we are even looking for stiffer punitive measures to make sure that we rid the city of Okada menace”, Osho said.

Osho also assured that the DRTS would approach the court as usual to get approval for the crushing of the motorcycles, to serve as a deterrent.

Speaking on the rationale behind Okada arrest in the area, the Secretary, Command and Control FCTA, Dr Peter Olumuji corroborated that the operation was a fall out of the Idu- Karmo residents passionate appeal to stem the tide of insecurity in the area.

“Especially those who live around Idu, Karimo axis,they have been complaining about the nefarious activities of these motorcyclists who are not even meant to operate in those places,” Olumuji said.

Responding to insinuations from some quarters that the recently distributed motorcycles by the FCT Minister to security agencies were part of the impounded motorcycles,Olumuji described such insinuations as an unpatriotic misconception and untrue.

“Contrary to what people are saying, that the seized motorcycles are been converted for security purposes by the FCT Minister, well this is a misconception by those who have refused to make enquires on the true picture of things”.

“The bikes that were inaugurated by the FCT Administration some few weeks ago are meant for security operations. it is not for commercial but for security purposes, and it is not even the bikes impounded by the Directorate of Road Transport Services, DRTS.

“Those bikes were specially bought for security operations the security agencies, the vigilante and hunters who are complementing their efforts can now go into those difficult and mountainous areas in the boarder communities, and…alot of arrests have been made because of the use of those bikes in difficult terrains.” Olumuji pointed out.

Remi Johnson, Edited By Grace Namiji