Abuja Considers Ban on Rickshaws Amid Rising Crime Concerns

At the Gudu junction, where Abuja’s bustling business district converges, a fleet of yellow three-wheeled rickshaws clamors for passengers heading towards the suburbs at day’s end. However, Nigeria’s capital is contemplating a ban on this vital mode of transport, citing its alleged association with the city’s escalating crime and kidnapping epidemic.

Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike conveyed the government’s stance during a November meeting with residents’ associations, asserting, “Some of these keke Napep are agents of criminals.”

Abuja, often hailed as Africa’s model capital by the nation’s elite, has witnessed a surge in urban slums due to growing poverty and insecurity, symbolized by the ubiquitous presence of rickshaws.

Wike, in his bid to rejuvenate the capital, has targeted the rickshaws, a move viewed by some as catering to the interests of the affluent while disregarding the needs of the poor.

Yet, the proposed ban raises concerns about leaving commuters stranded in the absence of adequate public transportation alternatives. Moreover, it jeopardizes the livelihoods of thousands of drivers, exacerbating the plight of a population grappling with underemployment and poverty.

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Critics question the rationale behind singling out rickshaws as getaway vehicles for criminals, emphasizing their limited speed and utility in executing targeted robberies.

The drivers, predominantly from Nigeria’s conflict-ridden northern regions, fear being marginalized and displaced by the ban, despite their pivotal role in the city’s transport network.

As Abuja grapples with mounting security challenges, residents express frustration over the authorities’ failure to safeguard public safety and enhance infrastructure.

While the government mulls over alternative transportation solutions, the fate of Abuja’s rickshaws hangs in the balance, stirring debates over urban mobility, poverty alleviation, and public safety.