The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, has announced that beginning January 2025, all commercial buses operating in Abuja will undergo profiling by the Nigeria Police Force and the Department of State Services.
Wike made this announcement during the “FCT Renewed Hope Youth Empowerment Programme” in Garki, Abuja, where he presented 80 new cars to beneficiaries for use as taxis.
He emphasized that beneficiaries would not incur any costs for the vehicles, highlighting that the government aims to support families and reduce transportation expenses in the city. “Abuja should be on par with other major cities around the world,” he stated. Wike encouraged the recipients to embrace their new roles as taxi drivers, noting that many Nigerians who overlook such jobs at home often take them on when abroad.
To combat issues like kidnapping and “one-chance” robberies, Wike insisted that from January 2025, only commercial vehicles that have been profiled and approved by security agencies will be permitted to operate in the capital.
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“Many of the Keke Napep (tricycles) and motorcycles act as informants. Each beneficiary is being vetted by security,” he explained. He further clarified that any taxi or bus driver lacking security approval and proper Abuja branding would be prohibited from operating.
“Starting January, we will record vehicle numbers, driver names, and other details, ensuring that passengers can trust the vehicles they enter,” Wike added.
The government plans to establish a comprehensive profiling system for vehicles to facilitate this transition. This will likely involve stricter checks and requirements for vehicle registration and operation in the FCT.
Wike emphasized that the measure is crucial for maintaining public safety and order on the roads, particularly in light of increasing concerns over traffic-related incidents involving unregistered vehicles.
