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By Andrew Ahmad | Abuja
Abuja, Nigeria’s capital metropolis, is usually praised for its picturesque magnificence and calm atmosphere. However beneath the floor lies a rising menace that’s turning each day commuting right into a nightmare for residents — touts who harass and extort motorists and passengers with reckless abandon.
Brandishing ID playing cards bearing the identify of the Nationwide Union of Highway Transport Staff (NURTW), these people have gained notoriety for working unchecked in main components of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). Areas like Space 3, Space 10, Banex Junction, Berger Roundabout, and Wuse Market have grow to be infamous hotspots, the place motorists stay in worry of being accosted by these road enforcers.
Their methodology is each brazen and intimidating. As soon as they spot a possible “offender,” they block the automobile’s path, forcibly enter it, and infrequently take away again seats or seize automotive keys — all within the identify of imposing highway rules. The demand? Hefty funds starting from ₦15,000 to ₦25,000 earlier than the automobile is launched.
Terror on the Roads: Victims Communicate Out
“I used to be simply making an attempt to make a name,” recalled one Abuja resident, who had parked briefly alongside the service lane between Space 3 and Space 1 Bridge on a Saturday morning. “Subsequent factor, these guys surrounded my automotive, took my keys, and ordered me out. Once I noticed a VIO officer close by, I felt some reduction, pondering he’d step in. However shockingly, he informed me, ‘Oga, no drag with them — them dey management right here.’”
The sufferer was then marched to what the touts referred to as their ‘workplace’ — a tree shade in Space 1 Park — the place he was offered with a laminated worth listing of offenses and requested to pay ₦25,000 for “mistaken parking.” He managed to barter his approach out with ₦15,000.
One other motorist, Mrs. Mary, shared the same ordeal. “I had stopped at Space 3 to drop a good friend after they descended on my automotive. They mentioned I parked in a no-parking zone, which was a lie. Once I refused to pay, they threatened to smash my home windows. I needed to name somebody to return and settle them.”
Even passengers are usually not spared. Mr. Emmanuel Useni, who had simply arrived in Abuja from Lagos, recounted how touts stormed his automobile at Berger Roundabout, demanding ₦5,000 from every passenger, claiming the motive force hadn’t paid a “motion tax.”
An Ambiance of Worry and Frustration
“I now suppose twice earlier than driving round Abuja,” mentioned Ms. Consolation, a non-public automotive proprietor. “You by no means know which space is secure to park in or when these touts will pounce. It’s like they’ve authorized backing to extort individuals.”
Whereas the monetary burden of those unlawful calls for weighs closely on victims, the psychological toll is even worse — a continuing sense of worry and helplessness in a metropolis that’s presupposed to be safe and law-abiding.
Authorities Reply — With Denial and Guarantees
Regardless of quite a few complaints, authorities have been sluggish to behave decisively. A senior workers member on the FCT Transport Secretariat, who requested anonymity, admitted that the difficulty had reached their desk.
“We’re conscious and are taking steps,” he mentioned. “Extra safety personnel have been deployed to areas the place these actions are rampant. We’re additionally participating the NURTW to warning their members.”
Kingsley Madaki, media aide to the AMAC Chairman, distanced the council from the touts. “These harassing individuals on the roads are usually not our workers. They could declare to symbolize AMAC, DOAS, or the Transport Secretariat, however they’re impostors. Our skilled personnel don’t extort individuals.”
Nonetheless, residents stay unconvinced.
“We’ve heard all this earlier than,” mentioned Hassan Hussein, a industrial driver. “However nothing has modified. These guys are nonetheless on the roads day-after-day, gathering unlawful cash from harmless Nigerians.”
Finger Pointing: NURTW Denies Involvement
Sunday Sule, a member of the NURTW, denied information of the extortion practices. “If that is actually occurring, we’ll look into it. Our members are usually not presupposed to be concerned in such issues.”
However many imagine in any other case. Donald Iyobosa, a civil servant, mentioned the touts who harassed him at Space 1 flashed their NURTW ID playing cards. “They acted confidently — like that they had the union’s blessing. If NURTW says they don’t know, then they’re both pretending or intentionally wanting away.”
The Toll on Each day Life and the Economic system
For drivers like Mohammed Yusuf, who works with a ride-hailing app, the influence is past private stress — it’s financial.
“We’ve needed to hike our fares to cowl the bribes we’re pressured to pay. Passengers complain, however they don’t know we’re being squeezed from each ends. It’s turning into troublesome to outlive.”
As Abuja’s residents proceed to endure each day threats from these touts, the query stays — who will bell the cat? Till decisive motion is taken, many worry the streets of the FCT will stay unsafe, not due to crime, however attributable to extortion that’s all too seen, but stays largely unchecked.
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