Abuja Crackdown Looms As Wike Considers Banning Okada, Keke Operations

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has disclosed that the administration is considering restricting the operations of commercial motorcycles (Okada) and tricycles (Keke Napep) in parts of Abuja over rising security concerns.

Speaking during his monthly media briefing on Tuesday, Wike said the proposal followed recommendations by the FCT Security Council after intelligence reports allegedly linked the use of motorcycles to criminal activities in the nation’s capital.

While acknowledging that enforcing a blanket ban across Abuja would be impractical due to the city’s transportation needs and vast geographical spread, the minister said targeted restrictions are being considered in strategic locations.

According to him, security agencies have been directed to identify areas where the operations of Okada and Keke Napep should be prohibited, while additional security logistics have already been approved to strengthen law enforcement.

He said, “Apart from this, as you know, just this morning, I signed approval after we had a Security Council meeting, where we agreed that, beyond constituting a nuisance, they have become a security threat.

“From our security reports, bandits, when they don’t act, they use motorcycles.

“I’ve told the security agencies to map out areas where we do not need the Keke Napep and the motorcycle, but it will be difficult for you to ban them in the entire Abuja.

“But particularly, it is necessary within the city not to allow Keke Napep and the Okada. They are working that out.”

Commenting on the persistent presence of beggars across the Federal Capital Territory, Wike said efforts to remove them have produced only temporary results, as many return shortly after being evacuated.

He explained that Abuja’s central location, bordered by Kogi, Nasarawa, Niger and Kaduna states, makes the challenge more difficult to manage.

According to the minister, permanently accommodating and feeding displaced beggars is not a sustainable solution, as it could encourage more people to migrate into the FCT.

He said the authorities usually transport them back to their states of origin, but many eventually return to Abuja.

“Even the destitute beggars are all over the place, and each time we take them out, they come in again. Each time you take them out, they come in again.

“And people say, ‘Oh, why not provide where they will be staying, feed them?’ How will we continue to be doing that? It means you are encouraging people to leave from Kogi, Nasarawa, Niger and Kaduna.

“How can you fund that? It is not possible. So, we try to take them back to where they are coming from, but the next month, you see them back.

“You know Abuja is in the centre, surrounded by four states. So, it’s a big problem, but we’ll do the best we can.”