The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has announced its intention to crush some of the more than 130 impounded vehicles that did not pass integrity tests. Dr. Abdulateef Bello, the Director of the Department of Road Traffic Services (DRTS), made this declaration while giving journalists a tour of the impounded vehicles in various offices in Abuja.
Bello stated that these vehicles would undergo standard verification processes for registration, roadworthiness, and other checks. Any vehicles found to fall below the minimum standards will be crushed. Moreover, owners of impounded vehicles will face mobile court proceedings and pay penalties as stipulated by the law.
“Some owners will face mobile courts to determine the penalties,” Bello explained. “However, certain vehicles will not be allowed back on the road. Owners will be asked to retrieve any valuables from these vehicles before they are disposed of.”
Individuals implicated in criminal activities under the guise of commercial operations will be handed over to the police for further legal action. The recent evening raids conducted by the DRTS have led to the impoundment of 130 vehicles in the past two weeks, with many vehicles illegally masquerading as commercial entities while engaging in criminal acts.
The primary objective of these operations is to restore order to the city, eliminate insecurity, and ensure smooth traffic flow in the capital, aligning with the government’s zero-tolerance policy towards insecurity in the FCT. The director emphasized that such clampdowns will persist until all substandard vehicles utilized for illicit purposes are eradicated from the city.
Bello highlighted the DRTS’s successful efforts in reducing criminal incidents like “one chance” scams. The department has been actively enforcing regulations to confine taxi operations to authorized parks rather than on the streets. He urged residents to only utilize taxis and vehicles from officially designated areas to enhance safety and security.
The FCTA’s resolute stance against illegal activities conducted through vehicles underscores a broader commitment to safeguarding public welfare and upholding the rule of law in the nation’s capital.
