The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has said commercial motorcycles, popularly known as Okada, and tricycles, commonly called Keke Napep, may be banned from operating in some parts of Abuja over growing security concerns.

Wike disclosed this on Tuesday during his monthly media chat, explaining that the proposed restriction followed recommendations by the FCT Security Council after intelligence reports linked motorcycles to criminal activities.

The minister, however, acknowledged that imposing a total ban across the entire Federal Capital Territory would be difficult because of Abuja’s size and the transportation needs of residents.

According to him, he has approved measures to strengthen security logistics and directed security agencies to identify areas where the operations of Okada and Keke Napep should be prohibited.

“Apart from this, as you know, just this morning, I signed approval after we had a Security Council meeting, where we agreed that, beyond constituting a nuisance, they have become a security threat,” Wike said.

“From our security reports, bandits, when they don’t act, they use motorcycles.

“I’ve told the security agencies to map out areas where we do not need the Keke Napep and the motorcycle, but it will be difficult for you to ban them in the entire Abuja.

“But particularly, it is necessary within the city not to allow Keke Napep and the Okada. They are working that out,” he added.

Wike also spoke on the recurring presence of beggars and destitute persons in the nation’s capital, saying previous efforts to remove them had produced only temporary results, as many returned shortly after being evacuated.

He attributed the challenge partly to Abuja’s central location and its proximity to neighbouring states, including Kogi, Nasarawa, Niger and Kaduna.

“Even the destitute beggars are all over the place, and each time we take them out, they come in again. Each time you take them out, they come in again,” the minister said.

Responding to calls for the government to provide accommodation and feeding for beggars, Wike argued that such a policy would be difficult to sustain and could encourage more people to relocate to the capital.

“And people say, ‘Oh, why not provide where they will be staying, feed them?’ How will we continue to be doing that? It means you are encouraging people to leave from Kogi, Nasarawa, Niger and Kaduna.

“How can you fund that? It is not possible. So, we try to take them back to where they are coming from, but the next month, you see them back,” he stated.

Wike said the FCT Administration would continue to address the challenge despite the difficulty of controlling movement into the capital.

“You know Abuja is in the centre, surrounded by four states. So, it’s a big problem, but we’ll do the best we can,” he said.

The proposed restriction forms part of ongoing efforts by the FCT Administration to improve security, regulate commercial transportation and reduce activities considered a threat to public safety within Abuja.