Tough times await violators of traffic rules and regulations as well as other criminal elements in the Federal Capital City as the FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello launched the Abuja City Watch Patrol bikes.
The patrol bikes are to ensure that motorists adhere strictly to the traffic rules and regulations as violators would be arrested and promptly prosecuted.
These 10 new high capacity speed bikes provided by the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Solomon Arase are to also provide effective security surveillance in the Abuja metropolis.
Commissioning the bikes, the Minister appreciated the proactive action of the Nigeria Police Force and promised to procure additional bikes to cover more areas in the Federal Capital City.
His words: “I will like to thank the Inspector General of Police for providing us with these high quality speed motorbikes for the management of the traffic challenges we face here in Abuja. As you all know, traffic management is something we hold dearly because Abuja is our capital where we host the World and therefore we must operate at international standards.”
According to him, “I assure you that the maintenance of these equipment, the fuelling and also the welfare support to the team will be solely done by the FCT Administration because we require the services more than the Nigerian Police Force.”
The Minister remarked that traffic offenders in Abuja are in for a tough time because the speed bikes would be strategically stationed to monitor and arrest those that derive pleasure in beating traffic lights.
“On traffic offences initially, we are going to do a lot of advocacy through the press for people to understand what we do and for you to appreciate why we do it. Thus, soon the team is going to be very firm as offenders will be arrested and prosecuted,” he stressed.
He added that the City Watch Patrol speed bikes when stationed would also monitor and observe whatever is going on around the city and nip in the bud any criminal activity.
The Minister reiterated, “there is no way we will pride ourselves and say we are in Abuja, one of the planned cities in Africa, the joy of Nigeria, something we are all proud of and then we operate as if we are in a jungle. That will be totally unacceptable”.
Also speaking at the occasion, the FCT Police Commissioner, Mr. Wilson Inalegwu revealed that the 10 speed bikes would be stationed at the Old CBN, CEDI Plaza, Power House Junction (Asokoro District), BANEX Junction, Transcorp Hilton, Federal Secretariat, Area 1, (Garki), NITEL Junction, Diamond Bank Junction (Wuse II District) and the City Gate.
The Police Commissioner disclosed that the BMW motor bikes provided are to man FCT roads and their mandate is to stop impunity by drivers who deliberately violate traffic rules; who drive carelessly and other petty crimes that occur at those junctions like handbag snatching, phone snatching and even to watch out for one-chance and other crimes.
He reiterated that the bikes would also engage in high-speed chase, in case report is received in the control room of either a vehicle has been snatched or crime has occurred; adding “they will go there and quickly connect with other teams where they will be located, there will be other patrol teams not too far from them to give them backup”.
“What the Inspector General has done is to select very senior officers – 8 ASPs and 2 Inspectors because we expect high level of discipline from them to curb impunity and work in disciplined, efficient and effective manner,” he said.
