Task Force seizes 280 vehicles in operation against crime, illegal transport in Abuja

Abdullateef Fowewe

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has ramped up its efforts to combat criminal activities and illegal transportation services in Abuja, resulting in the seizure of 280 vehicles, including cars, tricycles, and motorcycles.

These citywide operations, conducted by the Operation Sweep Abuja Clean task force, are part of a renewed initiative to improve public safety, address insecurity, and eliminate unregistered or questionable vehicles from the streets.

FCTA Director of Security, Adamu Gwary, conveyed the information through Dr Peter Olumuji following a nighttime operation, stating that the task force had targeted various trouble spots throughout the city.

He mentioned that the team had detained beggars, scavengers, and unlicensed commercial operators, as well as removed vehicles with obscured license plates.

Gwary also noted that hundreds of traffic violators have already been caught as the crackdown continues across the FCT.

“For the traffic offences, we have over 40 vehicles that have been impounded. For the commercial motorcycles that have also been aiding criminal elements through route violations, we have impounded over 200 of them. And the tricycle, which is popularly called Keke Napep, we have over 40, also that have been impounded by the traffic agencies,” he said.

He explained that the task force was acting on the directive of the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, who had warned against allowing the capital to slide into chaos due to unchecked crimes and growing lawlessness.

Gwary said taxis operating without proper colours or number plates were also being taken off the road and handed over for prosecution.

“Vehicles that are not registered to ply the FCT road have been impounded. Those with cover plate numbers have also been impounded by the traffic agencies. All these things are to checkmate crime rates within the FCT, which the residents of the FCT have been clamouring for,” he added.

He said beggars and the destitute arrested during the sweep were being profiled at the Bwari rehabilitation centre, after which some are enrolled in vocational training, while others are repatriated to their states of origin.

“For those who are involved in scavenging, we also noticed that some of them are into criminal activities. The Nigerian police do the investigation. They profile them and investigate them thoroughly”, he added.

Gwary also dismissed reports suggesting a spike in One Chance robberies in the city.

While confirming that recent cases were under police investigation, he said the task force is actively targeting suspicious vehicles and drivers.

He said, “Like I mentioned, this operation, Operation Sweep, also has something to do with curbing this menace of One Chance. That is why you see that vehicles that don’t have proper documentation are being impounded and further investigated by the traffic agencies”.

He said surprise raids have been carried out in Life Camp, Asokoro, Wuse, Area 1, and other locations, making the city increasingly hostile for criminals.