Summary:
In a decisive move to enhance urban safety and enforce traffic regulations, the FCT Police Command, in synergy with the VIO, has impounded 21 commercial motorcycles for violating route restrictions along major Abuja highways, signalling a renewed commitment to curbing traffic-related crimes.
The security architecture of the nation’s capital has received a boost as the FCT Police Command intensifies its enforcement operations against the illegal operation of commercial motorcycles, popularly known as Okada, on major highways. In a strategic collaboration with the Directorate of Road Traffic Services (VIO), a combined team of operatives launched a targeted exercise on Thursday, January 8, 2026, under the banner of Operation Sweep.
The operation was specifically designed to sanitize the city center and enforce the existing ban that restricts motorcycle operators to the suburbs. According to CSP Josephine Adeh, the Police Public Relations Officer, the exercise yielded immediate results with the interception and impoundment of 21 motorcycles found plying prohibited corridors. The riders were also apprehended and are being processed in line with extant traffic regulations.
This clampdown is not merely about traffic management; it is a critical component of a broader security strategy. The police hierarchy has identified the unregulated movement of motorcycles as a potential enabler for criminal activities and traffic-related offenses within the metropolis. By restricting their movement, the Command aims to enhance public safety and reduce the incidence of urban crime.
The Commissioner of Police, CP Miller Dantawaye, has issued a stern warning to operators who continue to flout the law. Reaffirming the Command’s stance, he stated that the ban on major routes remains non-negotiable and that enforcement will be sustained and intensified across all six Area Councils.
Residents are encouraged to support these security measures by complying with traffic directives. The Command has also kept its communication lines open, urging the public to report any suspicious activities via their emergency numbers: 08032003913 and 07057337653.
