Why we crushed 400 impounded motorbikes: FCT-VIO

• Emetu noted that the ban on motorcycles, or ‘Okada,’ had been in place since 2006, preceding tricycles’ operation in the city center
• Motorcycles were only allowed in area councils and suburban areas within the FCT
  

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The Directorate of Road Traffic Services (DRTS) in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has announced that it destroyed confiscated motorcycles and tricycles due to the operators’ consistent violations of traffic regulations.

Kalu Emetu, the spokesperson for the DRTS, disclosed this during an interview in Abuja on Sunday. He emphasized that this action became necessary because the imposition of fines or other lesser penalties had proven ineffective. 

Mr. Emetu also pointed out that the ban on motorcycles, commonly referred to as ‘Okada,’ had been in place since 2006, predating the operation of tricycles in the city center. 

While acknowledging that the ban on motorcycles was only partial within the entire FCT, he clarified that they were permitted to operate solely in the area councils and the suburban regions within the territory.

“Now, when they come into the city centre, and we impound their bikes, some of them will only laugh at you, meaning that they will still repeat the same thing. 

“Now, when they come into the city centre, and we impound their bikes, some of them will only laugh at you, meaning that they will still repeat the same thing. 

“Most times, to our surprise, the following day, you will still see the same person whose motorbike or tricycle was impounded the previous day with another one operating in the same place.

“This, I believe, goes to say if you like keep impounding their bikes or even their tricycles, they will keep violating the rules restricting them from operating in the city centre,” he said.

The spokesman said all these behaviours by the operators forced the service and the Federal Capital Territory Administration’s resolve to crush the items when impounded.

“But after a while, we realised that the same people will still come back to the same spot to operate. So, coming up with an option of a stiffer penalty is the way to go,“ he said.

Mr Emetu explained that even before the crushing of the motorcycles, the service would have approached the court to obtain an order of forfeiture, which empowers them to do so.

On August 31, over 400 impounded motorcycles were crushed. The motorcycles were impounded at strategic spots the riders use as their routes for operations.

Abdulateef Bello, director of the FCT Directorate of Road Traffic Services (DRTS), said the operation was part of ongoing efforts to take commercial motorcycles and tricycle operators off Abuja roads.