The Nation Newspaper

Category: Abuja Review

  • FCT boosts emergency care with 12 new life-support ambulances

    FCT boosts emergency care with 12 new life-support ambulances

    A functioning health system is measured not only by its hospitals, but by how quickly it can move care to those in crisis. In the Federal Capital Territory, renewed investment in modern ambulances signals a push to strengthen emergency response, reduce preventable deaths, and make timely, lifesaving intervention more accessible, reports Gbenga Omokhunu

    Emergency medical transport is a cornerstone of any functional health system. For patients suffering trauma, cardiac arrest, stroke, obstetric emergencies, or other life-threatening conditions, survival often depends not only on hospital care but on what happens in the crucial minutes before arrival. Around the world, well-equipped ambulances staffed by trained paramedics serve as mobile treatment units, delivering stabilising interventions that can mean the difference between life and death.

    In Nigeria, however, emergency medical transportation remains a major public health gap. Many hospitals, particularly in rural and semi-urban communities, either lack ambulances or rely on outdated vehicles without essential life-support equipment. In such settings, critically ill patients are frequently transported in private cars, commercial vehicles, or poorly equipped vans, leading to dangerous delays and inadequate pre-hospital care. These gaps contribute to avoidable complications and, in some cases, preventable deaths.

    In the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), efforts are underway to strengthen this weak link in the healthcare chain. Since assuming office, FCT Minister Nyesom Wike has prioritised improvements in emergency response capacity, including the deployment of fully equipped ambulances to public health facilities. The most recent step is the provision of 12 state-of-the-art ambulances to FCT hospitals.

    These ambulances are designed not merely for transport but for treatment during transit. Equipped with advanced life support (ALS) systems, they are intended to function as mobile emergency rooms. Trained paramedics on board are expected to provide critical interventions such as airway management, oxygen therapy, intravenous fluid administration, cardiac monitoring, and basic trauma care. By stabilising patients en route, the system aims to improve survival rates and reduce the risk of long-term disability following severe medical events.

    The initiative builds on earlier efforts to strengthen emergency services nationwide. In 2022, the Federal Government, in partnership with the private sector, launched the pilot phase of the National Emergency Medical Service and Ambulance System (NEMSAS) in the FCT. That programme was designed to create a coordinated framework for emergency response, linking ambulances, call centres, and designated hospitals.

    Despite these efforts, comprehensive real-time data on deaths linked specifically to delayed ambulance access in the FCT remain unavailable. Nonetheless, available evidence suggests the burden is significant. Road traffic crashes alone account for hundreds of fatalities annually in the territory, and delayed emergency response has been identified as a contributing factor in many cases. Some analyses indicate that a measurable proportion of emergency cases result in death, underscoring the urgent need for faster and more effective pre-hospital care.

    Infrastructure challenges further complicate emergency response. Reports from area councils such as Kuje have highlighted how poor road conditions and under-resourced primary health centres can delay or limit access to urgent care. Such systemic barriers reduce the effectiveness of even well-equipped ambulances if vehicles cannot reach patients quickly or transport them safely.

    Officials say the newly commissioned ambulances — the first major addition to the fleet in nearly a decade — are expected to help cut emergency response times significantly. However, equipment alone is not enough. Past experience shows that staffing shortages, maintenance issues, and weak coordination can undermine emergency services. Recognising this, the FCT Administration has indicated plans to recruit additional health personnel and rehabilitate several health centres across the territory.

    Presenting the ambulances, Wike reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to strengthening the health sector alongside broader infrastructure development. He argued that investments in road networks are directly linked to effective emergency response, noting that ambulances cannot function optimally on impassable roads. According to him, improvements in transport infrastructure are a prerequisite for saving lives during medical emergencies.

    While resource constraints remain, the expansion of the ambulance fleet represents a significant step toward a more responsive emergency care system in the FCT. If supported by adequate staffing, maintenance, coordination, and infrastructure, the initiative could help reduce preventable deaths and build public confidence in the territory’s health services.

    On her part, the Mandate Secretary of the FCT Health Services and Environment Secretariat, Dr Adedolapo Fasawe, praised the FCT Minister’s people-centred governance and expressed appreciation for his sustained support to the health sector. She described the presentation of ambulances to FCT hospitals as a clear demonstration of the FCTA’s commitment to emergency preparedness and improved health outcomes for residents of the Territory. Dr Fasawe further noted that ongoing road improvements in Abaji, Kwali, and Gwagwalada have significantly reduced emergency response times.

    She also disclosed that the FCT remains the only state or territory in the country to have fully paid all medical allowances, including the Medical Residency Training Fund and hazard allowances, up to date. Highlighting additional reforms, she said: “When we reflect on these interventions collectively, they reveal a deliberate and coordinated effort to deliver accessible, high-quality and responsible healthcare for the people of the FCT. On behalf of the health sector, we sincerely appreciate the Minister for this commitment and support.”

    The World Health Organisation (WHO) Representative, Dr Kumshida Yakubu, who attended the event, commended the FCTA’s efforts to strengthen emergency preparedness and pledged the organisation’s continued support toward achieving the FCT’s health goals.

    Meanwhile, doctors under the Association of Resident Doctors, Federal Capital Territory (ARD-FCTA), last week praised the Minister for approving the payment of 13 months’ hazard allowance arrears and one month wage award. In a letter of appreciation dated January 15, 2026, the association described the gesture as a strong demonstration of commitment to the welfare of healthcare workers. The letter, signed by ARD-FCTA President, Dr George Ebong, and General Secretary, Dr Yusuf Israel Lissa, read in part: “We write to formally express our profound appreciation to the Honourable Minister, His Excellency Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, for your exemplary leadership and commitment to the welfare of healthcare workers, as demonstrated by the payment of the longstanding 13 months’ hazard allowance arrears as well as the payment of one month wage award.”

    According to the association, the intervention came at a critical time and reflected recognition of the sacrifices made by doctors and other health workers. “This timely intervention underscores your dedication to equity, fairness, and the recognition of the sacrifices made by doctors and other health workers in the course of service in the FCTA,” the letter added. The resident doctors also pledged continued cooperation with the FCT Administration to strengthen healthcare delivery, stating: “Our association remains committed to constructive engagement and collaboration in advancing the FCT health sector and ensuring the continued delivery of quality healthcare services to the populace.”

    The letter further acknowledged other senior FCT officials for their roles in facilitating the payments, including the Minister of State for FCT, Dr Mariya Mahmoud; Acting Head of Service, Mrs Nancy Sabanti Nathan; Chairman, FCT Civil Service Commission, Engr Emeka Ezeh; and several permanent secretaries and health administrators. Wike has repeatedly reaffirmed the Administration’s commitment to quality healthcare delivery for residents of the Territory.

    Last year, he stated that beyond improving over 360 primary healthcare centres and other facilities with the necessary infrastructure and personnel, the goal remains to ensure healthcare is affordable and accessible. He gave the assurance during a free medical outreach in Kuje Area Council, where more than 4,000 residents received services including eye screening and glasses, antenatal care, sickle cell screening, HIV testing and counselling, dental care, general medical check-ups, blood tests, and minor surgeries.

    Wike explained that the Renewed Hope Medical Outreach reflects President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s health security. He noted that the President charged the FCT Administration with addressing residents’ health needs, stressing that a healthy population is essential to achieving the Renewed Hope Agenda. He said health goes beyond the absence of disease and includes overall physical, social, and mental well-being, especially for women and children. He emphasised that reducing maternal mortality remains a key priority, noting that many complications arise because patients present late at health facilities.

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    He emphasized that President Tinubu tasked him with addressing the health needs of residents, as a healthy population is essential to driving the Renewed Hope Agenda and reaping the benefits of democracy. He said: “We always say health is wealth and the difference between this medical outreach and all other outreaches is that we say health is not only the absence of disease; health is the total well-being of a person, of a society, especially the women and children.

    “We are looking at the social determinants of health, physical determinants of health, and total well-being overall, including your mental health. How did this come about? The President, Bola Tinubu, through the FCT Minister, gave us a mandate that health care must be accessible, affordable, available, and within reach of every citizen of the country. We in the FCT have taken that mandate very seriously. People say Wike is working.

    “Wike is not only working on projects; he is also working on the systems. Our mandate really is to reduce the number of women who die due to pregnancy or childbirth complications. This is called maternal mortality. The number we have is quite alarming right now and we decided to check what is causing this. We have the hospitals, we have the nurses, we have the doctors, we have skilled birth attendants. Why do people come to us at the latest stage of complications and die? Hence the essence of this programme.”

    Residents who spoke with Abuja Review expressed optimism that the ongoing investments in the health sector demonstrate the Federal Government’s resolve to ensure that the promise of renewed hope extends beyond infrastructure to the quality of services delivered to the people. Many, however, urged the FCT Administration to sustain the momentum by providing more ambulances and additional medical equipment to further strengthen service delivery across FCT hospitals.

  • What way out of Abuja Almajiri phenomenon?

    What way out of Abuja Almajiri phenomenon?

    Children branded Almajiris are dumped in the capital. What does it mean for the city’s safety and soul?  In the quiet hours before dawn, trucks roll into Abuja and disappear just as quickly, leaving behind their human cargo—children dumped in unfamiliar streets with no guardians, no shelter and no direction. As daylight breaks, they scatter across the city to survive on their own, turning what should be a child-welfare emergency into a growing security concern for Nigeria’s capital. NICHOLAS KALU and GBENGA OMOKHUNU report

    On a cool, quiet morning near the Nyanya Expressway, a group of children sits under a tree with tattered sandals, hands cupped, eyes fixed on passing vehicles. No uniforms, no bags. They look too young and too alone to be here. A traffic warden driving past calls out: “Where are your parents?” One child shrugs: “We don’t have any here.”

     This is not a scene from afar. It is happening in Nigeria’s seat of power, Abuja, Federal Capital Territory, where residents wake up daily to find hundreds of children tagged as Almajiri dumped in central locations in the dead of night.

     It was gathered that trucks arrive early and offload them in clusters at shopping complexes, junctions, major roadsides and bus terminals. Once the doors open, the children scatter, blending into the city’s teeming streets, left to fend for themselves.

     The phenomenon has become so regular that many Abuja residents no longer blink at sightings of forlorn children roaming the city. But the unease runs deep: this is more than a humanitarian issue; it is a security concern.

     Who are these children?

     Traditionally, the Almajiri system refers to children sent by families, typically in northern Nigeria, to Islamic teachers (malams) to study the Qur’an. Under that system, children lived in learning centres and often relied on begging to survive. But what is unfolding in Abuja bears little resemblance to traditional Almajiri education.

     According to several community leaders interviewed across Abuja’s districts, the children arriving are not being brought by teachers but abandoned by unscrupulous handlers or traffickers. They are ferried from their home states in trucks dispatched overnight. Before dawn breaks, the vehicles pull up in busy parts of the city, Central Area, Kubwa, Wuse and dump their human cargo. In minutes, the children disappear into the labyrinth of the city.

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     A civil society worker in Wuse, who asked not to be named for security reasons, explained: “These children don’t know where they are. Some are not even from the northern states. They tell you they were told to come to Abuja to look for work, but when they arrive, drivers dump them and leave.”

     Parents and guardians rarely accompany them; most arrive entirely on their own, vulnerable and bewildered.

     The wave of abandoned children has stirred anxiety among Abuja residents and security officials alike.

     Children scattered across the city are exposed to exploitation, theft, sexual violence, trafficking and other crimes. Large numbers of unsupervised minors in public spaces disrupt traffic, harass commuters and may be easily recruited into criminal activity.

    ‘We were told to go to Abuja’

     In the midst of heavy traffic at the Nyanya Bus Terminus, a cluster of boys between eight and 12 years old approached with urgency; asking for money. A journalist sits with them under an overpass.

     A boy, Abubakar, 10, says softly: “We were told there are jobs in Abuja. A man gave us biscuits and said we should come so we can work and send money home.”

     Another, Sani, 12, adds: “We didn’t know where. The truck dropped us. We walked around and ended up here.”

     None could name the village or town they came from. Several spoke of being dropped off late at night, hungry and alone.

    “We sleep on verandas. Sometimes store owners chase us away,” said one of the children, clutching a frayed red T-shirt.

    Their stories are marked by confusion, homesickness and fear rather than education or purposeful travel. None spoke of Quranic schools or malams.

    One child rights lawyer in Abuja, Olamide Adeyemi, told The Nation that:  “The law protects children, but the difficulty lies in tracing the handlers, transporters and sponsors behind these movements. Until we can break that chain, we will continue to treat the symptoms, not the cause.”

    Public safety and community tensions

     In some communities, the sudden rise in unsupervised children has spiked tensions.  In Wuse Market, a petty trader, Musa Ibrahim, complained:  “These kids beg aggressively. Sometimes they push customers. We want safety and order. It is not fair for traders to lose business because no one is managing this situation.”

     Some residents have taken matters into their own hands, forming neighbourhood watch groups to steer children away from high-traffic zones or report them to local authorities.

     At a community forum in Dutse, residents argued for increased lighting in vulnerable areas, more frequent police patrols, child education and protection centres.

     Yet, others warn against stereotyping or criminalising the children, pointing out that they are victims first.

     The city’s security apparatus may frame the issue in terms of public order, but the human cost is staggering.

     Alone on the streets, these children face the daily realities of hunger, sickness, exploitation and despair. Without guardians, their risk of becoming victims of trafficking rings or criminal gangs is high.

    For the children languishing in the shadows of Abuja’s gleaming skyline, every dawn marks another trial. The capital’s shining promise of opportunity and safety, remains out of reach for them.

     What is being done?

    Following the obvious development, the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) last week evacuated 607 beggars and mentally challenged individuals from Abuja streets as part of efforts to clean up the city, from July 2025 to date.

     The Head of Enforcement of the FCT Social Development Secretariat (SDS), Ukachi Adebayo, made this known while reacting to the development.

    •An Alimajiri taking a nap after the day’s struggles PHOTO: ABAYOMI FAYESE

     Adebayo said the Operation Sweep Abuja Clean team carried out the exercise, evacuating 607 individuals, comprising 583 beggars and 23 mentally challenged people.

     She added that the evacuees had been counselled, profiled and returned to their states in collaboration with state governments and liaison offices.

     “What we do when we apprehend the beggars and mentally challenged individuals is to counsel them to be able to profile them.

     “After that, we take them to their various liaison offices to be returned to their respective states where they are expected to undergo rehabilitation,” she said.

     Noting that the beggars and mentally challenged people always returned to the streets after the evacuation, Adebayo said that the operation was ongoing and would continue to take them off the streets of Abuja.

     She said: “The more you take them out, the more they resurface.

     “Some of them were driven by insecurity in their state, and they ran to Abuja to take refuge. But, we will continue to apprehend them and take them back.”

     Similarly, the Acting Director of Social Welfare, Gloria Onwuka said some of the children begging on the streets were brought in from other states by unidentified individuals to beg and hand over the proceeds to them.

     Onwuka added that some of the women who were caught with children begging on their behalf were not their biological children.

     “Begging is now run like a business. People will hire people’s children from other states, put them in vehicles very early in the morning, come to Abuja and start begging.

     “The families they are hiring these children from don’t even know that this is what they are using their children to do.

     “We have caught so many of them like that,” she said.

     Also, the Secretary of the FCTA Command and Control Centre, Dr Peter Olumuji explained that Operation Sweep was a joint security operation involving all relevant security agencies and the FCT’s Secretariats, Departments and Agencies.

     Olumuji stated that the operation was instituted by the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, to sweep Abuja of miscreants, street beggars, scavengers and other criminal elements.

     He also pointed out that beggars pose security threats and constitute a nuisance in the city, adding that some of them serve as informants to criminals.

     “Not only that, the beggars and mentally challenged individuals also deface the beauty of the capital city, while some of them become victims of kidnapping for rituals and other negative purposes,” he said.

     He said that the operation was ongoing and would continue to crack down on beggars, miscreants and other criminal elements wherever they resurfaced.

     Recall that when the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Wike assumed office, with the high level of kidnappings and killings in the country’s capital directed that Abuja and the Satellite Towns be completely rid of street beggars/traders, one chance syndicates, scavengers, miscreants and other social nuisances.

     It was then that he instituted the operation code-named Operation Sweep Abuja of miscreants, street beggars/traders, scavengers and other criminal elements.”

     Wike said the action was in line with the Abuja Environmental Protection Act and other relevant laws.

     He said: “Our country’s capital should be a secure symbol of pride and beauty, not a site for street beggars and scavengers; most of whom are agents of criminal elements.”

  • Rising menace of overloaded vehicles in FCT

    Rising menace of overloaded vehicles in FCT

    On Abuja’s highways, danger often comes not from reckless drivers alone but from vehicles stacked with goods so high they defy logic. From foodstuff to furniture, cars and buses haul loads many times their size, often tied down with nothing more than frayed ropes. At speeds above 120 kilometres per hour, one loose item can trigger a deadly chain of crashes, yet this peril has become a daily reality in the country’s capital. NICHOLAS KALU reports.

    On a bright afternoon along the Abuja–Keffi Expressway, cars whizz past at frightening speeds. Among them, a small commercial bus with bags of yams and rice piled high on its roof sways precariously from lane to lane. The ropes holding the load are loose, and one bag dangles dangerously close to falling. Drivers behind honk and attempt to manoeuvre away, but traffic on the busy expressway offers little room. At 120 kilometres per hour, one mishap could set off a chain of collisions with devastating consequences.

    This scene is not unusual in the Federal Capital Territory. It is part of the troubling realities that residents of Abuja have come to live with. Across the city’s highways and adjoining roads, vehicles are routinely overloaded with goods of all shapes and sizes, ranging from foodstuffs and building materials to furniture and household items. Often, the loads tower over the vehicles themselves, sometimes ten times the size of the car or bus carrying them. For many, it feels like an accident waiting to happen, yet the menace has become almost normalised, exposing road users to constant danger.

    The problem has grown so common that it now defines the driving experience on major highways such as the Abuja–Lokoja, Abuja–Keffi, and Kubwa Expressways. A trip on these routes reveals buses with luggage stacked far above their height, trucks burdened with goods strapped loosely with fraying ropes, and private cars pressed into service as moving vans. The lack of proper restraints on these loads means items frequently fall onto the road. At such high speeds, drivers swerving to avoid fallen cargo risk colliding with other vehicles, and what starts as a minor slip of rope can quickly escalate into a multi-vehicle pileup.

    Residents recall terrifying near misses and tragic accidents that have their roots in this culture of reckless overloading.

    A taxi driver, Samuel Edet recounted a close call that still shakes him. “I once saw a bus carrying so many bags of rice that the roof caved in slightly under the weight,” he said. “One bag slipped off and landed in the middle of the highway. Cars swerved, and there was almost a pile-up. It was only God’s mercy that saved us that day.”

    Experts in trauma medicine attest to the toll such accidents take. Dr Musa Ahmed, a trauma surgeon at the National Hospital in Abuja, said the injuries are often catastrophic.

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    “We see patients from highway crashes where overloaded vehicles are involved. The impact is usually worse because the cargo itself becomes a weapon. Victims arrive with multiple fractures, crushed bones, severe head trauma, and internal bleeding. In many cases, survival is impossible by the time they are brought in. Overloading is a silent killer on our roads, and unfortunately, it is claiming more lives than many people realise.”

    A grim incident last year underscored this danger. A truck overloaded with cement bags lost control along the Abuja–Keffi Expressway, toppling onto a commercial bus and killing several passengers instantly. Not long after, another vehicle carrying iron rods shed part of its load on the Kubwa Expressway. One rod pierced the windshield of a trailing car, causing the driver to lose control and spark a crash involving three other vehicles. These are not isolated events but part of a recurring pattern that exposes the inadequacy of enforcement in Abuja.

    Comparing Abuja and Lagos

    What makes the situation more frustrating for residents is the awareness that the problem is not insurmountable. In Lagos, where traffic density and road safety concerns are just as severe, there is a more visible enforcement of regulations. The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) has built a reputation for being proactive and uncompromising. Drivers in Lagos know that overloading a vehicle, whether with passengers or goods, attracts swift consequences. Vehicles are often impounded, and heavy fines are imposed.

    In Abuja, however, the enforcement presence is far less pronounced. Overloaded vehicles move freely on major highways without fear of arrest. The result is a perception of lawlessness that emboldens offenders. “When you drive in Lagos, you see how strict the officials are,” said Fatima Suleiman, a civil servant who shuttles between Abuja and Lagos. “If you try to overload your car or bus in Lagos, you will not go far before someone stops you. Here in Abuja, nobody cares. You see small cars carrying loads meant for a truck, and nobody stops them. It is frightening.”

    The contrast between the two cities is stark and raises questions about the priorities of the Federal Capital Territory Administration and the Federal Road Safety Corps, both of which have mandates to keep roads safe.

    The FCTA has made attempts in the past, but these have been sporadic and inconsistent. During the COVID-19 pandemic, for instance, the administration ordered a clampdown on overloaded vehicles, though the focus then was mainly on passenger overloading rather than cargo. The measure faded once the pandemic eased, leaving the roads to their familiar chaos.

    The Federal Road Safety Corps has been more active. Early this year, it launched an inter-agency task force on the Kaduna–Abuja highway to enforce a ban on overloading, particularly targeting trailers that carry goods and sometimes passengers in unsafe numbers. In Abuja, officials say they apprehended more than a hundred offenders in a single week during a special enforcement exercise.

    Yet, for all these efforts, the sight of dangerously loaded buses and trucks remains a daily reality in the capital. Enforcement is undermined by several factors. Some officials admit privately that vehicles owned by politically-connected businesses are difficult to impound. Corruption and insufficient manpower also mean many offenders escape punishment. For residents, the impact of these gaps is all too clear on the roads they use every day.

    The frustrations of Abuja residents echo a deep sense of fear and helplessness. For some, each trip on the highway feels like taking a gamble. “Every time I drive to work on the Kubwa Expressway, I am tense,” said Chinedu Okafor, a logistics operator. “There are trucks loaded with goods piled higher than the vehicle itself. I know that if anything falls off, it could be me or the car next to me that ends up in the hospital. We overload because transporting in batches is expensive, but the truth is that the risk is too high. If authorities enforced the rules properly, we would have no choice but to comply.”

    Commercial drivers are often caught between the need for economic necessity and safety concerns. Rising fuel prices and harsh operating conditions prompt many to overload as a means of maximising each trip. But the cost of one accident, both in human lives and financial ruin, far outweighs the savings. Civil society advocates argue that the government must take into account these economic pressures by introducing policies that reduce the incentive to overload. Subsidized weigh stations, affordable logistics hubs, and targeted support for small transporters could help curb the practice without pushing operators into deeper hardship.

     Why Abuja cannot afford to ignore the crisis

    The menace of overloading is not just about traffic discipline. It is a matter of public safety that carries implications for health, emergency services, and the city’s image as the nation’s capital. Each overloaded vehicle that speeds through the highways poses a direct threat to other road users. In a city where thousands commute daily, the potential for mass casualties in the event of a serious crash is frightening.

    Emergency workers also face difficulties when responding to crashes involving overloaded vehicles. Heavy cargo makes rescue operations harder, slows down evacuation, and sometimes traps victims under weights too heavy to lift quickly. In critical moments where every second counts, this delay can mean the difference between life and death.

    The broader consequences are equally troubling. Frequent road accidents strain the healthcare system, already under pressure from other emergencies. Families lose breadwinners, and the economy suffers from lost productivity. For Abuja, a city that aspires to reflect the nation’s best face, the prevalence of such reckless road practices undermines its credibility.

    The way forward

    There is growing consensus that urgent steps must be taken to bring the situation under control. Experts point to a combination of strict enforcement, public awareness, and infrastructural support as the way forward. For enforcement to be effective, it must be consistent and free of favouritism. Every overloaded vehicle, regardless of ownership, must be apprehended and penalised. The FRSC and FCTA must also expand their manpower and logistical capabilities to cover more routes and intercept offenders in real time.

    At the same time, sustained public enlightenment is crucial. Many drivers remain unaware of the full dangers of overloading, or they choose to ignore them for economic reasons. Continuous campaigns through radio, television, and social media, backed by transport unions, can help drive home the message that overloading is not just illegal but deadly.

    Technology also has a role to play. With surveillance cameras and digital monitoring, authorities can track offenders more efficiently. Mobile inspection points at the entry and exit routes into Abuja would also help intercept dangerously loaded trucks before they merge into high-speed traffic.

    For residents, what matters most is that something concrete is done, and soon. “It feels like we are just waiting for a disaster. The authorities must act before more lives are lost. Abuja cannot continue to ignore this problem,” said Fatima Suleiman.

     A call to responsibility

     Abuja’s highways mirror the city’s image as a growing urban hub. But beneath the glistening new roads lies a hidden danger in the form of reckless overloading. The menace is already costing lives, and without decisive intervention, it will claim many more.

     The responsibility lies with both the government and citizens. While authorities must enforce the law, drivers and transporters must recognise that no economic gain is worth the blood spilt in preventable crashes. In Lagos, a firm stand against road indiscipline has produced measurable results. Abuja, too, can achieve this, but only if enforcement is taken seriously and the culture of impunity is dismantled.

     As the city grows and its roads become busier, the urgency of this task cannot be overstated. Overloaded vehicles are ticking time bombs on Abuja’s highways. Unless the problem is confronted with the seriousness it deserves, the capital risks becoming a city where every journey carries the shadow of tragedy. 

  • Wike appoints Galadima SSA on development control, planning 

    Wike appoints Galadima SSA on development control, planning 

    The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike has appointed Mukhtar Usman Galadima Senior Special Assistant (SSA), on Development Control and Planning.

    A statement on Wednesday, by the Minister’s SSA on Public Communications and Social Media, described Galadima, as a seasoned Town Planner, with over 30 years of experience in the FCTA Department of Development Control (Abuja Metropolitan Management Council) and Satellite Towns Development Agency.

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    Mukhtar Galadima, who became the Director, Department of Development Control in 2016, retired from the Civil Service last month (November). 

    He was a member of several ministerial committees, including the Abuja Masterplan Restoration Task Team, Review of Revoked Titles and Change of Land Use.

    Olayinka said the appointment takes immediate effect. 

  • Calls to end roadside touts heighten

    Calls to end roadside touts heighten

    In the bustling city of Abuja, commuters often brace themselves for more than just traffic. They steel themselves for the lurking menace of touts, popularly called agberos, who operate around bus stops, junctions and major roads across the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). What was once thought to be an Abuja problem has now found fertile ground in the country’s seat of power, with alarming consequences for safety, security, and the image of the capital city. The recent tragedy at Mabushi under bridge, where a couple lost their lives after suspected touts forced their way into their vehicle, underscores how deadly this menace has become. It is no longer just about harassment, extortion and intimidation of motorists; the activities of these men now directly threaten lives. NICHOLAS KALU reports

    From harassment to deadly violence

    According to the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command, the fatal crash occurred on September 3, 2025, when three unidentified men allegedly accosted a Toyota Highlander along the Nnamdi Azikiwe Expressway near Berger Junction, Utako.

    In their attempt to seize control of the steering, the vehicle somersaulted into a bridge pillar. The driver, his wife and two of the assailants died instantly. The incident provoked mob anger, leading to the lynching of suspected touts at the scene.

    Though the police have since launched an investigation, residents say this was an accident long waiting to happen. The steady rise of activities of agberos in the city, often unchecked and sometimes linked to local council revenue schemes, has created an atmosphere of lawlessness along Abuja’s transport corridors.

    Where the menace persists

    A tour of the city by our correspondent revealed several hotspots where motorists and commuters encounter tout harassment daily.

    Mabushi and Berger Junction (Utako) are notorious flashpoints. Touts, often pretending to be passengers, rush toward vehicles, force open the doors, or demand money from drivers who slow down to pick up legitimate commuters.

    Nyanya and Mararaba axis at the city’s gateway from Nasarawa State, drivers complain of men who impose illegal levies and attack those who refuse to comply.

    Area 1, Garki, around the flyover and motor parks, where commuters often report about touts who extort bus drivers or harass pedestrians.

    Zuba and Dei-Dei Motor Parks are busy intersections serving as gateways to Northern Nigeria, and have become strongholds of loosely organised tout groups.

    Wuse Market and Berger Roundabout, where drivers say they encounter men who flag down vehicles under the guise of “park monitoring” but end up extorting or attacking motorists.

    For many commuters, the sight of touts swarming vehicles has become as predictable as the morning traffic.

    “We don’t feel safe anymore”

    Residents interviewed expressed deep frustration at the government’s inability to address what they consider an obvious and growing danger.

    A civil servant, who commutes from Nyanya daily, Mrs Amina Abdullahi described her fear thus: “Once you approach Nyanya Bridge, you just pray your car doesn’t break down. These boys will surround you, some pretending to help, but if you don’t give them money, they become violent. We live with this threat every day.”

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    A taxi driver, Mr Chukwudi Okafor, who plies the Area 1–Wuse route, lamented the intimidation when he said: “They call themselves revenue agents for the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) or the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), but what they do is pure robbery. If you refuse to pay, they can damage your car, smash your windscreen or beat you up. We are tired.”

    For younger commuters such as Suleiman, a student of the University of Abuja, the issue is more than financial harassment.

    “Sometimes these agberos enter cars pretending to be passengers, only to rob both driver and passengers. The Mabushi accident shows the extreme risk. We don’t feel safe anymore.”

    A parallel authority in the city?

    What makes the issue more complicated is the tacit recognition some of these touts enjoy from local government structures. In Abuja, revenue collection has often been outsourced to informal groups who disguise extortion under the cloak of ticketing. Some residents allege that touts linked to the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) or various transport unions exploit this loophole, creating a “shadow authority” that thrives on intimidation.

    Security experts warn that allowing these groups to fester could institutionalise a culture of lawlessness. An Abuja-based criminologist, Dr Kingsley Eze explained: “When informal groups control public spaces and extract illegal tolls, it erodes state authority. Abuja is supposed to represent order, governance and security. The activities of these agberos undermine all of that and, if unchecked, could create organised gangs with deeper criminal networks.”

    The consequences extend beyond immediate harassment. Many commuters now avoid certain bus stops, preferring longer and more expensive transport routes to stay safe. Some residents opt for ride-hailing services, pushing up their daily transportation costs.

    For others, the fear of encountering touts late at night has curtailed their freedom of movement.

    Businesses also suffer. Drivers who face constant extortion transfer the costs to passengers, raising transport fares. Traders around bus stops complain that the violence and disorder discourage customers.

    “When fights break out, people run away and sales drop,” said Musa Ibrahim, who sells phone accessories around Wuse Market.

    The government’s promises and police response

     The FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, has, on several occasions, vowed to restore sanity to Abuja’s transport corridors. Yet, residents argue that enforcement remains inconsistent. Police crackdowns tend to follow major incidents, only to fizzle out weeks later.

    The spokesperson for the FCT Police Command, Superintendent of Police (SP) Josephine Adeh, recently assured residents that investigations into the Mabushi crash were ongoing and that the Command was committed to tackling touting. But commuters such as Mrs Abdullahi remain sceptical. She said: “We hear these promises all the time. Until we stop seeing them on the roads, it’s just all talk.”

    While the menace is undeniable, analysts caution against viewing the touts purely as villains. Many of them are unemployed youths drawn into the informal economy of the city. Without jobs, skills or social support, they find in touting a means of daily survival.

    A youth activist, Mr Anthony Ogbonna has argued that: “If we want to end agbero culture, we must provide alternatives. Mass arrests will not solve the problem. We need job creation, vocational training and reintegration programmes. Otherwise, these boys will keep coming back.”

    This dual reality, the urgent need for enforcement and the underlying socio-economic drivers, complicates the path forward.

    Lessons from other cities

    Other Nigerian cities have grappled with similar challenges. In Lagos, attempts to reform the transport sector by banning touts from bus stops have met limited success due to the entrenched interests of transport unions. Abuja could be in the same cycle if reforms are not decisive and comprehensive.

    Experts recommend a multi-pronged strategy, such as strict policing of public spaces, a ban on unauthorised revenue collection, transparent regulation of motor parks and targeted social programmes for at-risk youths.

    A city at the crossroads

     The Mabushi tragedy was a grim reminder of what is at stake. For Abuja, designed to symbolise Nigeria’s unity and order, the rise of roadside touts represents not just a nuisance but a threat to its very identity as a planned and secure capital.

    Unless urgent action is taken, residents fear that the menace could spiral further, endangering more lives and tarnishing the city’s reputation.

    As a taxi driver, Mr Okafor bluntly puts it: “If Abuja cannot control agberos, then what message are we sending to the rest of the country?”

    The agbero menace in Abuja is more than an inconvenience. It is a test of governance, security and urban management in the FCT. From Mabushi to Nyanya, from Zuba to Wuse, residents are united in one demand: that the government must reclaim the roads and bus stops from touts and restore safety.

    Citizens are not only calling for arrests after tragic incidents but also for a sustained policy that eliminates touting from the capital city. Until then, every slowing car at a bus stop carries with it the anxiety of danger, and every commuter knows that what happened in Mabushi could happen anywhere else in the future.

  • FCT residents seek urgent flood solutions

    FCT residents seek urgent flood solutions

    As the rainy season intensifies, residents in Abuja’s flood-prone communities are renewing their urgent calls for decisive government action. From Lugbe to Nyanya, many say they are weary of annual warnings that do little to stop streets from turning into rivers and homes into temporary shelters for disaster, NICHOLAS KALU reports

    Every rainy season, Abuja’s flood-prone communities brace not for relief, but for emergency. With the forecasts issued by NiMet, the flood alerts from the National Flood Early Warning System, and advisory campaigns, one question remains unanswered for many residents: When will authorities translate warnings into solutions? Residents’ frustrations reverberate across Abuja yearly.

    For instance, Gloria Ashedu of Trademoore Estate, Lugbe, narrated the situation thus: “Every year we wait, and every year the water comes,” in a description of how floodwaters rise swiftly, overtaking ground floors despite residents’ efforts to fortify homes with culverts and pumps.

    From Nyanya to Gwagwalada, from Asokoro to Garki, once-vibrant neighbourhoods now brace for disaster rather than celebrating the rain.

    Drugstore managers in Garki, market women in Wuse and public servants in Asokoro recount transport paralysis, collapsed roads and submerged homes turning daily routines into survival challenges.

    Voices of despair and defiance

    At Nyanya’s Area “A” Extension, Helen Ani has a message for the FCT Administration. She recalls how drains choke on refuse and buildings spring up where water runs. She demands hard infrastructure: retention ponds, emergency control centres, automated weather stations and enforceable fines to deter dumping and illegal construction.

    In Kubwa, Lugbe, Bwari and Kuje, residents urge collaboration between the Ministry of Environment and Urban Planning authorities. They proposed a joint drain clearance, enforcement of building codes and shared information dissemination to avert blockages and flooding. The appeal is clear; flooding is not just a natural event, but also a manmade failure.

    At the national level, the Federal Ministry of Environment conducted its 2025 Flood Awareness Campaign in Nyanya, even as it urged communities to avoid building on waterways, obey town planning laws and heed early warnings.

    The Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Mahmud Kambari, stressed that floods displace thousands, damage infrastructure and disrupt livelihoods, and that resilience begins when communities act as environmental guardians.

    Investments have followed words. In April 2025, the Federal Government approved N15 billion under the Anticipatory Action Framework to shift from reactive disaster response to preparedness, with agencies such as NiMet, NIHSA, NEMA and the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs collaborating to practice early action.

    Yet, Abuja residents feel the gap between policy and streets. They see no retention basins, no ready shelters, no boats or pumps standing by when the rain turns deadly.

    However, some communities such as Lugbe offer a glimmer of what works. Since mid-2024, local volunteers in the Lugbe Flood Watch WhatsApp group have coordinated sandbag distribution and real-time alerts. The Abuja Environmental Protection Board’s drainage expansion project there reportedly reduced flood incidents by 40 per cent compared to the previous year.

    This proves readiness works when residents and authorities coordinate, and when investments include maintenance, community platforms and drainage infrastructure.

    Residents want action, not just words

    Residents across flood-prone wards are united in asking for concrete actions: Drains cleared and retained, Patrols for clearing waste, enforced fines for dumping and the construction of retention ponds, especially near public buildings such as schools and hospitals.

    Community-level alerts and shelters: Loudspeaker announcements, SMS systems, door-to-door alerts and activated safe shelters with power and communications equipment.

    Prepared rapid response: Prepositioned boats, power generating sets, first-aid teams, evacuation drills, and community training in flood response.

    Upgrade urban planning enforcement: Remove buildings blocking waterways, enforce setbacks and coordinate the Ministry of Environment and Urban Development agencies with urgency.

    Public accountability: Regular updates on flood infrastructure projects, turnaround on approved funds and community liaison officers to track progress.

    They also maintained that rain is predictable while flooding should not be, adding that rain falls as it always does and that flood alerts are routine. This year, the FEWS Centre flagged Abuja’s flood risk zones—from Asokoro to Kubwa—weeks before the rains began. Meanwhile, citizens await delivery of infrastructure that matches the forecasts.

    The communities and residents plead for action over awareness. Residents no longer ask for warnings. They demand protection. From Kampala to Lokogoma, Nyanya to Garki, voices call out: build retention ponds, clear drainage, enforce plans, equip emergency units and share early alerts directly with homes.

    Floods are no longer natural surprises. Climate change and poor planning make the threat greater, but preventable. As communities stand on the brink, they are uniting in one plea: translate funds, campaigns and frameworks into flood-proof futures.

    Residents, therefore, demand lasting flood solutions. This is so because for many residents, the sense of déjà vu is as troubling as the floodwaters themselves. Each year, as dark clouds gather over the capital, anxiety sets in among communities that have lived through the havoc of past rainy seasons. They recount a familiar cycle: seasonal warnings from agencies, a few hurried attempts at desilting drains and then, after the first downpour, the water still comes, fast, forceful and unforgiving.

    The cost of inaction

    While statistics about flood damage are sobering, millions of naira lost in property, disrupted businesses and, in some cases, lives, residents insist that the human toll is the most pressing concern.

    In communities such as Karshi, residents recount harrowing nights of scooping water out of their living rooms and bundling children onto higher ground. In Gwagwalada, where the river often overflows, families sometimes camp with relatives for days until the waters recede.

    Urban planners and environmentalists, therefore, argue that the situation is not simply a force of nature; it is largely man-made. Years of unregulated development, blocked drainage channels and poor waste management have left many communities vulnerable.

    Residents, therefore, urge the FCT Administration and the Federal Ministry of Water Resources to shift from reactive measures to proactive, long-term planning. This, they say, should include enforcing building codes, relocating structures erected on floodplains and creating sustainable urban drainage systems that can handle the city’s expanding population.

    Many residents still remember the devastating floods of 2022 and 2023, when heavy rains displaced hundreds and destroyed infrastructure in several districts. In Lugbe’s Trademore Estate, video footage of cars floating in brown floodwater circulated widely online, drawing both sympathy and outrage. The government responded with demolition orders for certain structures and a promise to address drainage issues, but residents say the underlying problems remain.

    “In 2022, after the huge flood, we thought that would be the turning point. They came, they demolished some houses, and they made a lot of announcements. But here we are again, and the story is the same,” a resident, Chidi Nwafor, recalled.

    The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) and the FCT Department of Development Control all play roles in flood prevention and response. However, experts and community leaders point out that the lack of coordination among these agencies often hampers results.

    “What we have is a fragmented system where agencies issue warnings and conduct inspections, but no single body ensures follow-through on long-term flood control measures. We need an integrated flood management strategy for Abuja, not just emergency response when the damage is already done,” an environmental enthusiast, Grace Longe, said.

    Read Also: Abiodun to AfCFTA panel in Algiers: Ogun is Nigeria’s top investment destination

    Experts note that the problem of flooding in Abuja and its communities is exacerbated by climate change and the intensifying rainfall. Adding to the challenge is the reality of climate change.

    According to NIHSA, rainfall patterns in Abuja have become more intense, with sudden downpours delivering large volumes of water in short periods. This overwhelms the city’s drainage systems, especially in informal settlements that lack basic infrastructure.

    In Nyanya, resident groups have begun small-scale efforts to adapt, including building raised walkways and pooling funds for community sandbags. But they say such efforts can only go so far without the government’s backing.

    “We can do little things, but we cannot redesign the whole drainage system by ourselves,” Ahmed Umar, a community leader said.

    As the rainy season progresses, social media has become a key platform for residents to share videos and testimonies of flooding in their areas. These posts often tag relevant agencies and government officials, with hash tags demanding immediate action.

    “Abuja is the seat of power. If the capital itself cannot manage flooding, what message does that send to other parts of Nigeria?” another resident, David Effiong, rhetorically asked.

    For now, agencies continue to issue advisories that urge residents in flood-prone zones to relocate temporarily or prepare for possible evacuations. But many say that while such warnings save lives in the short term, they do nothing to break the cycle of yearly disaster.

    “Every year, we are told to move. Where do they expect us to go? People have invested their life savings here. We want solutions, not just warnings.” Ojo in Lugbe said.

    The clock is ticking

    Meteorologists predict that the heaviest rains of the season are yet to come. This indicates that the risk of severe flooding remains high in the coming months. For residents, the urgency is clear. Unless the authorities take bold steps to address drainage deficiencies, enforce planning regulations and invest in long-term infrastructure, the story of Abuja’s floods will continue to be written in the same way, year after year, community after community.

    As dusk falls over the capital and another curtain of rain sweeps across its streets, residents brace themselves once more. In their hearts, they hope the water will not rise too high. In their voices, they demand that the authorities listen, this time, before it is too late.

  • FCT residents seek urgent flood solutions

    FCT residents seek urgent flood solutions

    As the rainy season intensifies, residents in Abuja’s flood-prone communities are renewing their urgent calls for decisive government action. From Lugbe to Nyanya, many say they are weary of annual warnings that do little to stop streets from turning into rivers and homes into temporary shelters for disaster, NICHOLAS KALU reports

    Every rainy season, Abuja’s flood-prone communities brace not for relief, but for emergency. With the forecasts issued by NiMet, the flood alerts from the National Flood Early Warning System, and advisory campaigns, one question remains unanswered for many residents: When will authorities translate warnings into solutions? Residents’ frustrations reverberate across Abuja yearly.

    For instance, Gloria Ashedu of Trademoore Estate, Lugbe, narrated the situation thus: “Every year we wait, and every year the water comes,” in a description of how floodwaters rise swiftly, overtaking ground floors despite residents’ efforts to fortify homes with culverts and pumps.

    From Nyanya to Gwagwalada, from Asokoro to Garki, once-vibrant neighbourhoods now brace for disaster rather than celebrating the rain.

    Drugstore managers in Garki, market women in Wuse and public servants in Asokoro recount transport paralysis, collapsed roads and submerged homes turning daily routines into survival challenges.

    Voices of despair and defiance

    At Nyanya’s Area “A” Extension, Helen Ani has a message for the FCT Administration. She recalls how drains choke on refuse and buildings spring up where water runs. She demands hard infrastructure: retention ponds, emergency control centres, automated weather stations and enforceable fines to deter dumping and illegal construction.

    In Kubwa, Lugbe, Bwari and Kuje, residents urge collaboration between the Ministry of Environment and Urban Planning authorities. They proposed a joint drain clearance, enforcement of building codes and shared information dissemination to avert blockages and flooding. The appeal is clear; flooding is not just a natural event, but also a manmade failure.

    At the national level, the Federal Ministry of Environment conducted its 2025 Flood Awareness Campaign in Nyanya, even as it urged communities to avoid building on waterways, obey town planning laws and heed early warnings.

    The Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Mahmud Kambari, stressed that floods displace thousands, damage infrastructure and disrupt livelihoods, and that resilience begins when communities act as environmental guardians.

    Investments have followed words. In April 2025, the Federal Government approved N15 billion under the Anticipatory Action Framework to shift from reactive disaster response to preparedness, with agencies such as NiMet, NIHSA, NEMA and the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs collaborating to practice early action.

    Yet, Abuja residents feel the gap between policy and streets. They see no retention basins, no ready shelters, no boats or pumps standing by when the rain turns deadly.

    However, some communities such as Lugbe offer a glimmer of what works. Since mid-2024, local volunteers in the Lugbe Flood Watch WhatsApp group have coordinated sandbag distribution and real-time alerts. The Abuja Environmental Protection Board’s drainage expansion project there reportedly reduced flood incidents by 40 per cent compared to the previous year.

    This proves readiness works when residents and authorities coordinate, and when investments include maintenance, community platforms and drainage infrastructure.

    Residents want action, not just words

    Residents across flood-prone wards are united in asking for concrete actions: Drains cleared and retained, Patrols for clearing waste, enforced fines for dumping and the construction of retention ponds, especially near public buildings such as schools and hospitals.

    Community-level alerts and shelters: Loudspeaker announcements, SMS systems, door-to-door alerts and activated safe shelters with power and communications equipment.

    Read Also: Fed Govt opens doors to local, foreign partnerships on renewable energy

    Prepared rapid response: Prepositioned boats, power generating sets, first-aid teams, evacuation drills, and community training in flood response.

    Upgrade urban planning enforcement: Remove buildings blocking waterways, enforce setbacks and coordinate the Ministry of Environment and Urban Development agencies with urgency.

    Public accountability: Regular updates on flood infrastructure projects, turnaround on approved funds and community liaison officers to track progress.

    They also maintained that rain is predictable while flooding should not be, adding that rain falls as it always does and that flood alerts are routine. This year, the FEWS Centre flagged Abuja’s flood risk zones—from Asokoro to Kubwa—weeks before the rains began. Meanwhile, citizens await delivery of infrastructure that matches the forecasts.

    The communities and residents plead for action over awareness. Residents no longer ask for warnings. They demand protection. From Kampala to Lokogoma, Nyanya to Garki, voices call out: build retention ponds, clear drainage, enforce plans, equip emergency units and share early alerts directly with homes.

    Floods are no longer natural surprises. Climate change and poor planning make the threat greater, but preventable. As communities stand on the brink, they are uniting in one plea: translate funds, campaigns and frameworks into flood-proof futures.

    Residents, therefore, demand lasting flood solutions. This is so because for many residents, the sense of déjà vu is as troubling as the floodwaters themselves. Each year, as dark clouds gather over the capital, anxiety sets in among communities that have lived through the havoc of past rainy seasons. They recount a familiar cycle: seasonal warnings from agencies, a few hurried attempts at desilting drains and then, after the first downpour, the water still comes, fast, forceful and unforgiving.

    The cost of inaction

    While statistics about flood damage are sobering, millions of naira lost in property, disrupted businesses and, in some cases, lives, residents insist that the human toll is the most pressing concern.

    In communities such as Karshi, residents recount harrowing nights of scooping water out of their living rooms and bundling children onto higher ground. In Gwagwalada, where the river often overflows, families sometimes camp with relatives for days until the waters recede.

    Urban planners and environmentalists, therefore, argue that the situation is not simply a force of nature; it is largely man-made. Years of unregulated development, blocked drainage channels and poor waste management have left many communities vulnerable.

    Residents, therefore, urge the FCT Administration and the Federal Ministry of Water Resources to shift from reactive measures to proactive, long-term planning. This, they say, should include enforcing building codes, relocating structures erected on floodplains and creating sustainable urban drainage systems that can handle the city’s expanding population.

    Many residents still remember the devastating floods of 2022 and 2023, when heavy rains displaced hundreds and destroyed infrastructure in several districts. In Lugbe’s Trademore Estate, video footage of cars floating in brown floodwater circulated widely online, drawing both sympathy and outrage. The government responded with demolition orders for certain structures and a promise to address drainage issues, but residents say the underlying problems remain.

    “In 2022, after the huge flood, we thought that would be the turning point. They came, they demolished some houses, and they made a lot of announcements. But here we are again, and the story is the same,” a resident, Chidi Nwafor, recalled.

    The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) and the FCT Department of Development Control all play roles in flood prevention and response. However, experts and community leaders point out that the lack of coordination among these agencies often hampers results.

    “What we have is a fragmented system where agencies issue warnings and conduct inspections, but no single body ensures follow-through on long-term flood control measures. We need an integrated flood management strategy for Abuja, not just emergency response when the damage is already done,” an environmental enthusiast, Grace Longe, said.

    Experts note that the problem of flooding in Abuja and its communities is exacerbated by climate change and the intensifying rainfall. Adding to the challenge is the reality of climate change.

    According to NIHSA, rainfall patterns in Abuja have become more intense, with sudden downpours delivering large volumes of water in short periods. This overwhelms the city’s drainage systems, especially in informal settlements that lack basic infrastructure.

    In Nyanya, resident groups have begun small-scale efforts to adapt, including building raised walkways and pooling funds for community sandbags. But they say such efforts can only go so far without the government’s backing.

    “We can do little things, but we cannot redesign the whole drainage system by ourselves,” Ahmed Umar, a community leader said.

    As the rainy season progresses, social media has become a key platform for residents to share videos and testimonies of flooding in their areas. These posts often tag relevant agencies and government officials, with hash tags demanding immediate action.

    “Abuja is the seat of power. If the capital itself cannot manage flooding, what message does that send to other parts of Nigeria?” another resident, David Effiong, rhetorically asked.

    For now, agencies continue to issue advisories that urge residents in flood-prone zones to relocate temporarily or prepare for possible evacuations. But many say that while such warnings save lives in the short term, they do nothing to break the cycle of yearly disaster.

    “Every year, we are told to move. Where do they expect us to go? People have invested their life savings here. We want solutions, not just warnings.” Ojo in Lugbe said.

    The clock is ticking

    Meteorologists predict that the heaviest rains of the season are yet to come. This indicates that the risk of severe flooding remains high in the coming months. For residents, the urgency is clear. Unless the authorities take bold steps to address drainage deficiencies, enforce planning regulations and invest in long-term infrastructure, the story of Abuja’s floods will continue to be written in the same way, year after year, community after community.

    As dusk falls over the capital and another curtain of rain sweeps across its streets, residents brace themselves once more. In their hearts, they hope the water will not rise too high. In their voices, they demand that the authorities listen, this time, before it is too late.

  • Changing the face of transportation system through modern bus terminals

    Changing the face of transportation system through modern bus terminals

    Before now, ‘one chance’ menace has been a problem in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). However, the recent commitment by the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, to provide safe environment for commuters to avoid horrible incidents has been commended by President Bola Tinubu and residents. GBENGA OMOKHUNU reports.

    ‘One chance’ menace has been one issue that has been upsetting residents of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). Several people have lost their lives and property due to its upsurge. Many don’t feel safe boarding public and private vehicles along the road to avoid horrible incidents.

    In May 2024, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike awarded the contract for the construction of three modern bus terminals in Mabushi, Kugbo and Central Area.

    Wike conceptualised building bus terminals in Abuja to address the lack of organised public transportation facilities and curb the prevalence of “one-chance” robberies and other criminal activities linked to public transportation.

    He recognised the need for designated areas for commuters to safely board buses and taxis, which would also create job opportunities.

    The construction of the bus terminals in Mabushi and Kugbo began in July 2024, while that of the Central Area started in September 2024.

    Fitted with quality facilities, the bus terminals will operate for 24 hours and offer amenities such as food courts, restrooms and entertainment facilities to make commuting more comfortable and cinema halls.

    As for security, the terminals are designed to be secure environments, with features such as Close Circuit Television (CCTV) surveillance to protect commuters.

    Designed to welcome about 10,000 passengers daily, the Mabushi and Kugbo bus terminals can also house 120 buses and taxis each daily, for both intercity and intra-city travels.

    A cross section of Abuja residents and visitors have applauded the initiative, while for those that worked at the construction site, jobs were created.

    Mr. Steve Chukwudi, a business man who lives in Kuje advised the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) under Wike to ensure that the transport facilities are put in proper use with effective monitoring.

    Chukwudi hoped that the development will further curb the issue of one chance menace in the country’s capital. 

    Mrs. Ayomide Oluwadamisi, who sells food, said the construction site afforded her the opportunity to make money from the workers on site.

    Ibrahim Sani appreciated the minister for mandating the contractor to employ residents, adding that his means of income significantly improved.

    Read Also: First Lady donates ₦1bn, relief items to Niger flood, fire, banditry victims

    A cleaner at the Kugbo terminal, Susan Oma expressed happiness that she worked at the terminal. She expressed optimism for a brighter future as a worker in the facility.

    The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Planet Project Limited, Biodun Otunola, who spoke with Abuja Review said the terminals were designed to process more than 10,000 passengers each daily.

    He said the terminals can accommodate 120 buses and taxis daily, for both intercity and intra-city travels. He, however, said that the terminal under construction in the Central Business District (CBD) was different, adding that it was essentially designed for intra-city operations.

    Otunola said: “We can take over 120 buses here and we have designed this place in such a way that it can handle up to 10,000 passengers every day. It’s the same thing with the one in Mabushi. They are of the same concept, but the one at CBD, which is the third one, is a bit different.

    “The one at CBD is essentially for the city operation within Abuja, while Mabushi and Kugbo are designed to run intra-city and inter-city operations.”

    He further explained that each of the three terminals would employ at least 100 people.

    “People would be in the security department, some in the ticketing department and others in facility management, control room, electrical department, mechanical department, maintenance department and bus control. It is huge. It’s like running a mini-airport.

    “We will need one bus terminal in Gwagwalada, one in Kuje, in Gwarinpa and Lugbe, including the city centre in places such as Area 1, Area 3 in Garki, Wuse and other strategic locations,” he said.

    He commended President Bola Tinubu and the FCT Minister Wike for giving Planet Project, a local contractor, the opportunity to showcase its capacity to execute world-standard bus terminals for the residents of the territory.

    “I feel very happy that the government is beginning to trust its own people to do the right thing and to execute this kind of project. The company engaged 3,000 workers, comprising both skilled, unskilled artisans and security. Part of the conditions in the contract required the company to employ residents in the execution of the project as part of the FCT Administration’s strategy for job creation.

    “FCT residents have enjoyed enormously from this project. We have employed a whole lot of them. You know it’s a construction site and certain workers will be needed at certain stages of the construction. It is difficult to give you an exact number but more than 3,000 residents have been engaged and more will be employed as the work progresses.

    “The terminal will operate 24 hours a day, providing commuters with a safe and comfortable space to wait for their buses. There will be amenities such as food courts, restrooms, and entertainment facilities. I wonder how, since the creation of Abuja, and a city, a capital city of a country, we cannot have an organized transport system. Now, we are going to build another one in Bwari and Gwagwalada, so that if you are coming to the city, you know that you are safe. If you lose any of your items, you know the vehicle you boarded. That is the way it is the world over,” he said.

    During the inauguration, Wike had said: “Mr. President, the government is not a big business person. This will not be run by the transport secretariat. It will be managed by private individuals who have the idea to run this kind of business. And they pay us revenue. So, as the Mandate Secretary of Transportation, you have no business here. All this grammar the Mandate Secretary of Transportation has said, please, your job ends after this inauguration. You have finished your job. It will now be run by private people; so that we can talk of how it will be sustained. “This is so because if you allow the government, civil servants, politicians to do this, in two weeks’ time, it will die.”

    During the inauguration of Mabushi and Kugbo by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, on June 17 and 26 respectively, the FCT Minister reiterated that the essence of the project was to enhance security by reducing the number of unauthorized vehicles, thereby reducing congestion on the roads.

    During the inauguration of the Mabushi bus terminal on July 17, President Tinubu commended Wike’s commitment to providing first-class infrastructure for Abuja, evident in the quality and speed of project delivery.

    He also opined that beyond the immediate benefits of organised transport and heightened security; the project will also serve as a powerful engine for economic empowerment.

    President Tinubu said: “We are taking decisive steps to bring order, accountability and safety to public transportation. As we inaugurate the Mabushi Bus Terminal, we are not just opening a building; we are opening a new chapter for public transportation in Abuja. We are reaffirming our promise to provide a city where citizens can live, work, and commute with dignity, safety, and efficiency. This is a clear demonstration that our Renewed Hope Agenda is not merely a slogan, but a lived experience for our people.

    “I urge all residents and transporters to make full use of this facility, to cooperate with the authorities, and to embrace this new era of organized and secure public transit. Why my administration has prioritised high-impact transportation infrastructure, among which is this bus and taxi terminal, is the undeniable fact that no country has recorded noticeable progress without modernisation and expansion of its critical public mobility and public utilities.

    “As encapsulated in the Renewed Hope Agenda of my administration, my solemn promise to rebuild and revitalise our country’s infrastructure, enhance the lives of Nigerians, create an environment where security and efficiency become the order of the day, are being fulfilled, one significant step at a time. You will all agree with me that the Mabushi and now Kugbo International Bus Terminals meet global standards and global principles of sustainable urban development in the area of transportation and automatically erase these ugly experiences of chaotic public transportation in our capital city, previously fraught with challenges.

    “The terminals align with development goals of transit-oriented cities with smart mobility, compact living spaces, parking management, winning support of stakeholders and citizens, and ultimately transforming lives. We heard your concerns. We understood your fears. And we acted. With your compliance, you will no longer suffer from ‘one chance’ by the roadside.”

    To further ensure that Abuja is safe, Wike has set up a task force to go after ‘one chance’ syndicates and beggars.

    The initiative, named Operation Sweep Abuja was ordered by Wike, in line with the Abuja Environmental Protection Act and other existing regulations.

    The minister had, in October 2024, asked roadside beggars to vacate the streets within five days or face arrest.

    He had, through his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media, Lere Olayinka said the operation would be carried out by a Joint Task Force comprising security agencies and relevant FCTA departments and agencies.

    He said: “In line with the Abuja Environmental Protection Act and other relevant laws, Wike has directed the immediate evacuation of miscreants, street beggars, traders, scavengers and other criminal elements from the FCT.”

    The administration said the move is part of ongoing efforts to restore order, ensure public safety and maintain the aesthetic integrity of Nigeria’s capital city.

    “Our country’s capital should be a secure symbol of pride and beauty, not a site for street beggars and scavengers, most of whom are agents of criminal elements,” he said.

    Olayinka explained that people arrested during the operation would be profiled and subsequently handed over to their respective state governments.

    He emphasised the government’s commitment to the safety of residents, and urged collective responsibility in making Abuja safer.

    “Security of lives and properties of residents of the FCT is of paramount importance to the government. We must all join hands to achieve a safer Abuja,” he added.

    The FCTA identified other targets of the crackdown to include “one chance” syndicates criminal gangs who pose as public transporters to rob unsuspecting commuters, along with illegal street traders and loiterers.

    This move comes amid increasing concerns over rising petty crimes and the proliferation of informal activities across major parts of the capital, particularly in areas such as Wuse, Garki, Nyanya and Kubwa.

    While the government insisted the action is necessary to safeguard the city, human rights advocates have raised concerns about the approach and its implications for vulnerable populations, including the homeless and unemployed.

    Though the bus terminals are not yet operational, many residents have called on the administration to hasten plans and put them in use.

  • Inside Abuja’s infrastructure renaissance

    Inside Abuja’s infrastructure renaissance

    Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), is undergoing a sweeping transformation driven by an aggressive push to revive abandoned projects and execute new infrastructure with remarkable urgency. From expanding arterial highways to constructing flyovers and modern transport terminals, the FCT is rapidly evolving. NICHOLAS KALU and GBENGA OMOKHUNU report that with each new connection, the city is not only easing mobility but also laying the foundation for a more integrated, economically vibrant, and future-ready national capital

    Abuja is undergoing an infrastructure transformation unlike anything seen in recent years—a coordinated construction push that is rapidly changing the city’s skyline, its pace, and potentially, its future. From the expansion of arterial highways to the erection of flyovers at key intersections, the Federal Capital Territory is in the midst of a renaissance that is being championed by the Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike. Since assuming office in August 2023, Wike has made infrastructure development the centrepiece of his agenda, pledging to revive abandoned projects and launch new, high-impact ones with speed and precision.

    True to his reputation, Wike has combined political will with administrative urgency. He frequently inspects project sites, demands accountability from contractors, and ensures the transparent deployment of funds. Under his watch, the capital has become a living construction site—stretching from Gwarimpa to Wuye, and from Lugbe to Nyanya, where ongoing projects are not only visible but progressing at a pace that has surprised even the most cynical observers.

    Critics may raise eyebrows at his style, but even opposition lawmakers and civil society organisations have admitted that the scale and speed of current infrastructure projects are unprecedented. For a city long burdened by traffic congestion, poorly connected districts, and abandoned road networks, the turnaround is striking.

    More importantly, the development is not happening in isolation. The projects are interlinked, forming a deliberate strategy to connect distant communities, reduce travel times, and unlock new zones for residential, commercial, and economic activity. In once-forgotten areas, road construction is now driving new investments, reviving real estate markets, and injecting vitality into local economies.

    Wike’s approach is proving that infrastructure is more than concrete and asphalt—it is a lever for inclusive growth. Abuja’s districts are not just being linked by roads; they are being reconnected to the promise of prosperity.

    Reconnecting a city in motion

    At the centre of this transformation is the ongoing construction and completion of flyovers and link roads that were either abandoned or stalled under previous administrations. From the Kuje-Gwagwalada dualisation to the massive flyover at Wuye Junction and the link roads connecting Idu Industrial Area to arterial routes, the intention is clear: Abuja is being restructured to support its swelling population, fast-paced growth, and strategic importance as the nation’s capital. Many of these projects, according to officials of the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), had been in the blueprint since the early 2000s, but were repeatedly hindered by funding gaps, inconsistent policy execution, or lack of political will. The current push appears to be reversing that pattern, bringing long-forgotten projects back to life.

    In Lugbe, the ongoing bridge construction over the Airport Road is not only easing movement into and out of Abuja’s city centre, but also drastically reducing the risk to pedestrians in a previously treacherous zone. Similarly, the expansion of the Nyanya-Karu axis is cutting travel time for commuters who would otherwise spend hours in gridlocked traffic, especially during rush hours. For residents like Ibrahim Bako, a civil servant who commutes daily from Gwagwalada to the Central Area, the changes have been transformational. “Movement is now so much easier. You can feel the difference, especially when the connecting flyovers remove bottlenecks that used to frustrate us every morning,” he said.

    Beyond function, the ongoing projects are also making bold statements in architectural design. The new flyovers under construction, particularly in Wuye and Mabushi, are not just utilitarian slabs of concrete; they reflect modern design aesthetics that blend into the city’s topography. Observers have noted the use of multi-span viaducts and curved layouts that improve both the visual appeal and traffic flow of these structures. The flyover near the popular Wuye Market, for instance, incorporates landscaping and lighting designs that are already drawing praise from residents.

    “Abuja is finally beginning to show signs of a well-planned city maturing into its purpose. What we’re seeing is not just concrete development, but the fulfilment of the original Abuja master plan albeit delayed. Infrastructure is supposed to guide how a city grows. These road and flyover networks are making that vision more real,” Mustapha Aliyu, a long time Abuja resident said.

    Many of the projects making the most impact today are those that had long been abandoned or underutilised. The Apo-Gudu link road, stalled for nearly a decade, has recently seen renewed activity and is inching toward completion. Likewise, the Jahi-Katampe bypass and the Mabushi-Zuba corridor, both key to decongesting city traffic, have witnessed a revival under the current FCT administration. “Some of these projects have been on paper since Olusegun Obasanjo’s time. To see bulldozers on-site again is not just about development; it’s also restoring public confidence,” said one senior FCDA official who requested anonymity.

    Perhaps the most immediate impact of the renewed road construction is on the cost and ease of transportation across Abuja. The interconnection of communities that were once isolated has created new, shorter routes, reducing both the distance and time required to get from one end of the city to another. Commercial drivers and transport unions in Abuja report a notable decline in fuel consumption due to reduced idling in traffic, and a drop in the average fare per trip across high-traffic zones like Mararaba, Kubwa, and Gwagwalada. “Before, we could only do four or five trips a day. Now, we are doing up to seven or eight. When the roads are good, we spend less on maintenance and make more money. Everybody wins,” said Musa Abdullahi, a cab operator based in Area 1 of Abuja.

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    This gain is not lost on the thousands of daily wage earners and low-income residents who depend on public transport. Improved mobility means easier access to jobs, markets, and schools, creating a ripple effect that touches virtually every sector of city life.

    Despite the excitement, not everyone is cheering. There have been concerns about displacement, especially in areas where road expansion has required demolition of informal settlements or businesses. Human rights groups have called for a more humane resettlement policy and improved stakeholder engagement before demolitions are carried out. The FCT administration has responded by pledging to prioritise compensation and relocation where necessary, but it appears implementation remains uneven.

    Despite the hurdles, there is growing optimism that Abuja is finally moving towards becoming a city that works, not just in theory, but in practical, liveable terms. The connecting roads and flyovers are not just smoothing traffic but symbolising a city reconnecting with its purpose. With the 2026 African Union Infrastructure Scorecard approaching, Abuja may soon have the credentials to be ranked among the continent’s more progressive capital cities, not only because of its aesthetics but for how well it serves its people.

    Urban residents like Ifeoma Onuoha, a fashion entrepreneur based in Utako, believe the road revolution is long overdue. “It used to take me forever to deliver a dress from Utako to Lokogoma. Now it takes half the time. It’s not just development for development’s sake, it’s giving people like me a better life,” she said.

    As cranes rise and traffic eases, the capital is clearly undergoing a facelift that reaches beyond the surface. In the race between neglect and renewal, Abuja is finally choosing to build. That FCT Minister has made significant strides in delivering projects in Abuja is not in doubt His vision is to create a road network that not only meets the needs of today but also anticipates the city’s future growth. This includes fast-tracking existing road projects that had stalled and initiating new ones to ensure seamless connectivity across the city.

    Since assuming office in August 2023, Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has swiftly distinguished himself through a spate of transformative infrastructural projects reshaping Abuja’s landscape. Among his boldest moves is the commissioning of the Southern Expressway, now renamed Bola Ahmed Tinubu Way—a vital artery connecting the capital to the Kaduna-Abuja-Lokoja Federal Highway. Complementing this is the Wuye Bridge Interchange, which now facilitates seamless movement between Wuye and Wuse I districts, easing traffic in a formerly congested corridor.

    Further strengthening urban mobility, Wike launched the Outer and Inner Southern Expressways—10-lane superhighways enhancing east-west connectivity and alleviating pressure on inner-city routes. He also flagged off Wole Soyinka Way (N20 Arterial Road), a 5.6km stretch with key interchanges at Kubwa and Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Expressways. Infrastructure delivery in Guzape District, including roads, stormwater drainage, and power supply, also points to his focus on opening up underdeveloped areas. In the transport sector, the commissioning of modern bus terminals in Kugbo and Mabushi and the Apo-Wasa Road project reflect efforts to modernise public transit and reduce congestion.

    Although Wike has not specified the exact number of projects in the pipeline, he has cited major ongoing works, such as the rehabilitation of 366 roads in central districts, 120km of rural roads across the six Area Councils, and the streetlight upgrade along Nnamdi Azikiwe Expressway. Under the stewardship of Wike, one of Abuja’s most vital thoroughfares—the Airport Road—is undergoing a major expansion designed to transform it into a modern, high-capacity expressway. This intervention is not merely cosmetic; it is strategic. By addressing persistent traffic bottlenecks, the project is set to enhance commuting efficiency for residents and visitors alike, improving access to the city from the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport. Wike, known for his hands-on governance style, is personally monitoring progress to ensure the project’s timely and quality delivery.

    More than just expanding lanes, the reconstruction prioritises road safety and urban resilience. New features include clearly marked signage, modern street lighting, pedestrian walkways, and a robust drainage system to mitigate flooding during the rainy season. These enhancements are geared towards reducing road accidents and safeguarding both motorists and pedestrians. Beyond aesthetics and safety, the economic rationale is equally compelling. Better road infrastructure lowers logistics costs, improves travel time, and boosts investor confidence—factors that are crucial as Abuja positions itself more assertively as a national and regional economic hub. The Airport Road expansion, therefore, stands as both a physical and symbolic gateway to a more efficient, accessible, and economically vibrant capital city.

  • FCTA Task Force impounds 280 vehicles in crackdown on crime, illegal transport

    FCTA Task Force impounds 280 vehicles in crackdown on crime, illegal transport

    The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has intensified its clampdown on criminal elements and illegal transport operators in Abuja, impounding 280 vehicles, including cars, tricycles, and motorcycles.

    The citywide raids, carried out by the Operation Sweep Abuja Clean task force, are part of a renewed effort to enhance public safety, tackle insecurity, and remove unregistered or suspicious vehicles from the roads.

    FCTA Director of Security, Adamu Gwary, speaking through Dr. Peter Olumuji after a night operation, said the task force had combed various black spots across the city. He noted that the team had arrested beggars, scavengers, and unlicensed commercial operators, and removed vehicles with covered number plates.

    Gwary added that hundreds of traffic violators have already been apprehended as the crackdown continues across the FCT.

    “For the traffic offences, we have over 40 vehicles that have been impounded. For the commercial motorcycles that have also been aiding criminal elements through route violations, we have impounded over 200 of them. And the tricycle, which is popularly called Keke Napep, we have over 40, also that have been impounded by the traffic agencies,” he said.

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    He explained that the task force was acting on the directive of the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, who had warned against allowing the capital to slide into chaos due to unchecked crimes and growing lawlessness.

    Gwary said taxis operating without proper colours or number plates were also being taken off the road and handed over for prosecution.

    “Vehicles that are not registered to ply the FCT road have been impounded. Those with cover plate numbers have also been impounded by the traffic agencies. All these things are to checkmate crime rates within the FCT, which the residents of the FCT have been clamouring for,” he added.

    He said beggars and the destitute arrested during the sweep were being profiled at the Bwari rehabilitation centre, after which some are enrolled in vocational training, while others are repatriated to their states of origin.

    “For those who are involved in scavenging, we also noticed that some of them are into criminal activities. The Nigerian police do the investigation. They profile them and investigate them thoroughly”, he added.

    Gwary also dismissed reports suggesting a spike in One Chance robberies in the city.

    While confirming that recent cases were under police investigation, he said the task force is actively targeting suspicious vehicles and drivers.

    He said, “Like I mentioned, this operation, Operation Sweep, also has something to do with curbing this menace of One Chance. That is why you see that vehicles that don’t have proper documentation are being impounded and further investigated by the traffic agencies”.

    He said surprise raids have been carried out in Life Camp, Asokoro, Wuse, Area 1, and other locations, making the city increasingly hostile for criminals.