Motorcyclists clash with Wike Men in Abuja over seized bikes
Abuja – A protest erupted in Abuja on Thursday as commercial motorcyclists, popularly known as okada riders, resisted the confiscation and destruction of their bikes by a joint task force appointed by the FCT minister, Ezenwo Nyesom Wike.
The task force, which comprised of men from the DRTS, Police, Civil Defence, DSS and the military, seized over 470 motorcycles in an exercise that covered several areas of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), including Lugbe, Gosa, Bill Clinton drive, Trademore estate, Kubwa and its environs.
The motorcyclists, who claimed that their bikes were their only source of livelihood, attacked and threw stones at the task force members in a bid to prevent them from crushing their bikes at Area 1 roundabout.
The task force responded by firing teargas canisters and chasing the protesters into Gosa community. Some of the motorcyclists were arrested and beaten by the security agents, while others escaped with injuries.
The Secretary, Transportation Secretariat, Nya Ubokutom, said the operation was aimed at enforcing the ban on commercial motorcyclists in the city centre and highways. He said the administration’s vision of developing a smart city free of pollution and illegalities could not be achieved if okada riders were allowed to operate indiscriminately.
He warned the motorcyclists to restrict their operations to the areas designated for them or face the consequences. He also said that passengers who patronise okada riders would be arrested and prosecuted.
The Director, FCT Directorate of Road Traffic Services, Abdulateef Bello, said the administration was determined to rid the entire FCT roads of okada operators. He said the exercise would continue until all illegal motorcycles were confiscated and destroyed.
The operation also caused panic and accidents among innocent bystanders and road users. Some passengers were flung off their bikes by fleeing okada riders, while others ran for safety on sighting the task force. A man was seen lying almost unconscious after being thrown across the road at Lugbe junction. Food vendors and pedestrians also scampered for cover at Galadimawa roundabout as the task force arrived to carry out their operation.
The protest and operation have sparked mixed reactions from residents of Abuja. Some supported the government’s action, saying it would improve security and orderliness in the city. Others condemned it as harsh and insensitive, saying it would affect the livelihoods of many people who depend on okada riding for survival.
