The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has impounded 40 cars and 52 motorcycles in an operation targeting unpainted commercial taxis and transport operators violating traffic rules and aiding criminal activities in Abuja.
Chinedu Elechi, Mandate Secretary of the FCT Transport Secretariat, said, on Monday, in Abuja that a multi-agency task force including thepolice, civil defence, and other security agencies, led the crackdown, focusing on crimes such as kidnapping and “one chance” robberies linked to unregulated transport vehicles.
Elechi, who inspected the seized vehicles at the Wuye Command of the Directorate of Road Traffic Services (DRTS), stated that while the motorcycles would be crushed, the cars would face mobile court proceedings before further action.
“We don’t just impound vehicles; the owners will face mobile courts. The motorcycles will be crushed based on court orders, but all actions follow judicial processes,” he explained.
The Mandate Secretary stressed that the crackdown would continue as long as violations persist.
“If operators keep using unpainted vehicles and motorcycles illegally, we will not stop enforcing the law. Our efforts will continue as long as violations persist. It’s an FCT-wide responsibility,” Elechi said.
He noted that unpainted commercial vehicles are often used for criminal activities, unlike registered and painted taxis, which are easier to monitor.
“There has to be order. The government’s role includes ensuring the welfare and security of its citizens. One major security risk is the use of unpainted vehicles for passenger transport—that is where ‘one chance’ crimes happen,” Elechi said.
To improve the sector, the FCTA plans to profile all commercial drivers in Abuja. Elechi said all taxis would be registered, assigned numbers, and painted to ensure commuters can identify legitimate transport providers.
“We will allocate numbers to every taxi. Anyone operating commercial transport must use a painted, registered vehicle. Personal vehicles used for transport will be targeted, as they often facilitate criminal acts,” he added.
Elechi also updated the public on the new bus terminals, explaining that full operations would start once the government completes procurement to engage private operators under a public-private partnership.
“Vehicles are already arriving at terminals like Mabuchi. The difference between government and private operations lies in bureaucracy, but once procurement is finalised, operations will fully begin,” he said.
Deborah Osho, Acting Director of the FCT Directorate of Road Traffic Services, said the vehicles were seized for various traffic offences, with unpainted commercial taxis topping the list.
“These vehicles were impounded for traffic violations such as route breaches, driving against traffic, and mostly for being unpainted. These unpainted taxis are linked to ‘one chance’ robberies,” Osho explained.
In addition to the cars and motorcycles, four tricycles were also seized for similar offences and links to crimes like bag snatching.
“These tricycles, often involved in criminal acts, were also seized. This operation is part of our effort to restore order and security on the roads,” Osho said.
