I will stop open cattle grazing in Abuja — Wike

Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Barrister Nyesom Wike reassured concerned residents on Wednesday that efforts were underway to end the indiscriminate movement of cattle within the city center.

The Minister provided this assurance in Abuja when he received the Belgian Ambassador to Nigeria, His Excellency Daniel Bertrand, in audience. Wike stated that he had initiated multifaceted discussions with various relevant stakeholders on the need to halt the roaming of cattle in the city.

He also emphasized that combating insecurity in the FCT requires multifaceted approaches, which the administration was already adopting to defeat criminal activities. According to the Minister, his administration has intensified its partnership drive with private sector transportation players to enhance security in the city.

In his earlier remarks, Ambassador Daniel Bertrand, who had raised concerns about the roaming of cattle on the streets of Abuja, expressed satisfaction upon learning that the Minister had initiated efforts to combat the menace. Bertrand also expressed interest in getting investors from his country to partner with the FCTA in the development of the nation’s capital.

In a related development, the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has intensified efforts to enhance security within the nation’s capital by cracking down on commercial motorcycles, commonly known as ‘Okada,’ through its Directorate of Road Traffic Services (DRTS).

Dr. Abdulateef Bello, the Director of DRTS, emphasized the zero-tolerance stance toward the menace of commercial motorcycles during an enforcement exercise in Kabusa on Tuesday in Abuja. Represented by the Head of Operations, Deborah Osho, Bello revealed that the continued operation of Okada riders in the city had evolved from a traffic offense to a serious security breach, necessitating government intervention.

“The menace of commercial motorcycles is becoming alarming. Residents’ hearts are always in their mouths whenever they close from work at about 6 pm; these Okada riders take the law into their hands to unleash havoc on residents by stabbing them and robbing them of their valuables,” stated Bello.

He highlighted the reckless driving practices of Okada riders, often driving against traffic, contributing to accidents on the road. The DRTS, in collaboration with other agencies, is intensifying efforts to curtail their excesses and ensure the safety of residents, particularly in areas like Kabusa known for bag snatching and other criminal activities.

“We just made some arrests now, and we are going to crush some of them. One of the arrested Okada men had a penknife on him; this is what they use to do their ungodly act at night, leaving some residents either dead or alive with various degrees of injuries,” Bello added.

Residents using motorcycles for business were urged to adhere to the ban on Okada within the city center and operate only in approved areas in satellite towns.

Dr. Peter Olumuji, the Secretary, Command and Control, FCTA, emphasized that the operation is part of the broader effort to curb criminality and insecurity within the FCT. He revealed that recent arrests of kidnapping suspects highlighted the use of commercial motorcycles as a quick mode of escape, emphasizing the importance of enforcing the ban to enhance the security and safety of FCT residents.

The clampdown targeted areas such as Kubwa, Airport Road, Apo, and Lokogoma, where criminal activities involving Okada riders have been reported.