Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike has declared that commercial motorcycles (Okada) and tricycles (Keke NAPEP) will no longer be permitted to operate within the Abuja city centre, citing growing security risks and environmental disruption in the nation’s capital.
Speaking on Tuesday, August 4, 2026, during a monthly media chat in Abuja, the minister revealed that he had signed executive approvals releasing logistics support to security agencies to immediately map out and enforce strict exclusion zones across the metropolis.
Key Operational Highlights
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Exclusion from City Centre: Minister Wike stated that while a total ban across the entire FCT would be difficult to implement, commercial tricycles and motorcycles will be strictly restricted from operating inside the central business district and core urban hubs.
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Security & Nuisance Concerns: The FCT Administration (FCTA) identified unregulated Okada and Keke operations as primary security vulnerabilities and major contributors to traffic congestion across major roads.
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Logistics Support Approved: Security forces have been provided with targeted logistics backing to begin active operations mapping out restricted corridors and enforcing compliance.
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Stance on Street Begging: Wike also addressed the prevalence of destitutes and beggars across the capital, stating that the FCTA will boost evacuation logistics rather than establish permanent shelters, as funding accommodation would incentivize unmanaged migration from neighboring states.
┌────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ ABUJA CITY CENTRE TRANSPORT & SECURITY MATRIX │
├────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ • Authority : Nyesom Wike (FCT Minister) │
│ │
│ • Key Directive : Ban on Okada & Keke NAPEP in Abuja city centre │
│ │
│ • Primary Rationale: Security threat mitigation & urban decongestion │
│ │
│ • Scope : Enforced within city centre; permitted in │
│ designated outer satellite districts │
│ │
│ • Logistics Status : Security agencies funded & deployed for enforcement│
└────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘“They Don’t Just Cause a Nuisance; It Has Become a Threat”
Explaining the security council’s decision during the media briefing, Minister Nyesom Wike emphasized:
“Just this morning, I signed the approval because we had a security council meeting where we agreed that they don’t just cause a nuisance, but for the issue of security, it has become a threat. I have told the security people to map out areas where we do not need the Keke NAPEP and the motorcycles… Particularly, it is necessary within the city not to allow Keke NAPEP and Okada.” — Nyesom Wike, FCT Minister
Addressing queries on whether the FCTA would build shelters for displaced street beggars, Wike added:
“Each time we take them out, they come in again. Some people say why not provide where they would be staying? How would we continue to be doing that? It means we are encouraging people to leave Kogi, Nasarawa, Niger, and Kaduna. How can you fund that?” — Nyesom Wike, FCT Minister
Ayodele Quadri
Correspondent
