The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) taskforce has confiscated over 700 vehicles that operate without clear identities in the nation’s capital, Abuja.
Director, FCTA, Department of Security Service, Adamu Gwary said the operation follows the government commitment to curb cases of one- chance and other crimes.
Speaking to newsmen late Monday after the operation, he said the vehicles impounded had tinted glass without permits, fake number plates, with other traffic offences.
Gwary through Dr Peter Olumuji of the security department, noted that the exercise is part of the second phase of Operation Sweep Abuja Clean, a multi-agency crime prevention initiative.
He explained that the operation targets criminally-inclined motorists, particularly those perpetrating the notorious “one chance” robberies in the city and satellite towns.
Gwary said intelligence gathered from victims revealed that most of the vehicles used for “one chance” are either illegally tinted, unregistered, or bearing fake number plates.
He said some vehicle owners, such as cab drivers, have no justification for using tinted glass, which often helps criminals in concealing their activities.
“We are seeing people who are into businesses using tinted glass. Most of the victims that we have interrogated that have fallen victim of one chance, they always let us know that the vehicles they boarded are tinted.
“Currently, we have impounded over 700 vehicles from both the first and second phases. The operation has drastically reduced the incidences of one chance to the barest minimum. Our stop-and-search exercise has made it clear to criminals that no matter where they are in the FCT, the team will always reach them,” Said Gwary.
He further assured residents of the FCT that the clampdown is yielding results, citing several stolen vehicles recovered within the last weeks.
