In a bid to enhance security in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike declared that, effective January 2025, any commercial bus not duly profiled by security agencies will be prohibited from operating in Abuja.
Speaking at the FCT Renewed Hope Youth Empowerment Programme in Abuja on Thursday, Wike emphasised the need for stricter regulations to combat rising cases of kidnapping and “one-chance” robbery.
“From January next year, there will be nobody that will operate as a taxi driver or a bus driver without having approval from security,” Wike stated.
He underscored the importance of profiling drivers and vehicles, saying, “We will take the vehicle number, name of the drivers and the rest, so everybody will have confidence that this is the vehicle I’m entering in case anything happens.”
Wike also distributed 80 new cars to beneficiaries as part of the program, noting, “They are not paying a dime. The government is saying this is our support to feed your family and reduce the cost of transportation in the city.”
He urged beneficiaries to take pride in their roles, pointing out that many Nigerians abroad thrive as taxi drivers.
“Instead of encouraging how to feed our families, the next thing we see in social media is that they are giving them jobs as taxi drivers,” he said, challenging the stigma surrounding the profession. “We can’t be taxi drivers here, but we prefer taxi driving in London.”
