By Joyce Remi-Babayeju
The Directorate of Road Traffic Services, DRTS, also known as VIO on Tuesday seized at least 25 motorbikes during Okada and tricycle operators chase within places like Guzape and Gudu and others to ensure sanity in the Federal Capital Territory, FCT during the Yelutide season.
The aggressive crackdown was on motorbikes and tricycle operators defying
traffic restrictions within the Federal Capital City, with a promise to move to other strategic restricted zones.
Head of Traffic Management and Control Engineer Moses Anyeb, who led the team, said the FCT Joint Task Force (JTF) intensified its enforcement operations during the festive period to reclaim the city center from what officials describe as “recalcitrant” operators.
“What we are doing right away is to see how we keep the Okadas away from the city center.”
“They’ve been having their way all through the city and taking possession of where their operation is not supposed to be. This is actually affecting traffic and causing mayhem”, Anyebe stated.
He noted that while these operators are permitted to provide “last mile” services in designated suburbs, they have increasingly encroached on prohibited city routes, ignoring repeated warnings.
He emphasized that the timing of the raid during the festive season is necessary to ensure a peaceful season for the public.
“For them to have a joyful, festive period, we need to keep these miscreants away. The menace of Okada operators within restricted areas is something you cannot overemphasize,” he said.
The DTRS team issued a stern warning to operators planning to return to the city but to remain in areas allocated for their operation to avoid arrest.
Referring to the impounded motorcycles, Anyebe indicated that the new leadership will decide the next line of action.
“We have a new sheriff in town, a new director. After the arrest, we will have a discussion with him as to what the next line of action is for the apprehended Okada.”
The DRTS maintains that the operation is continuous until the city is “sanitized enough” to reflect its status as the nation’s capital.
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