Recent reports of self-styled transport enforcers, popularly called agberos or touts, have raised concerns within the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), especially in the city of Abuja. These touts, armed with audacity, have taken over strategic parts of the city, harassing motorists, damaging vehicles, and operating with a brazenness that suggests they are backed by some powerful individuals or authority.
The activities of agberos were popular in Lagos State. In fact, the name agbero is a Yoruba term that loosely translates to ‘area boy,’ which describes street boys who unofficially man tolls to intimidate and extort residents in the name of collecting ‘levies.’ However, what was once thought to be a Lagos problem has unfortunately sneaked its way into Nigeria’s capital city and is taking a dangerous dimension.
The touts are known to frequent specific spots, and the Mabushi-Bannex area has been identified as one of their notorious spots due to frequent pick-ups or drop-offs of passengers by both private and commercial drivers. Unfortunately, their uncivilised manner of handling issues led to an accident that claimed the life of a couple early September. The tragedy occurred when the touts tried to force their way into the moving vehicle in an attempt to take control of the steering. While trying to shake them off, the couple reportedly lost control of the vehicle and rammed into another vehicle that claimed their lives and that of two of the touts.
While the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) was initially fingered as the possible employer of these touts, AMAC has denied any formal affiliation, saying they do not constitute members of their task force. However, a Daily Trust reporter who interviewed a surviving tout involved in the accident revealed that they work for the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN) as ticketing agents. If this is true, then the question becomes more urgent: Who authorised RTEAN to operate on public roads, and with brazen authority to extort residents under the guise of collecting levies that are reportedly shared amongst them?
Nigeria is not short of agencies empowered by law to enforce traffic and tax regulations. The Nigerian Police Force, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), and the Directorate of Road Traffic Services, popularly known as Vehicle Inspection Officers (VIOs), are all constitutionally mandated to carry out these functions. Each has its own jurisdiction, training protocols, and accountability structures.
But to allow an informal, untrained, and unregulated group to enforce similar laws is to invite chaos. These agberos lack the legal authority, procedural training, and even ethical grounding to interact with citizens in any official capacity. Their continued presence on Abuja’s roads is not just unlawful but dangerous. More disturbing is the fact that since a report linked these touts to RTEAN, the association, which is the umbrella body of all owners of commercial vehicles operating in Nigeria, has neither denied the affiliation nor made its position regarding the tragic incident.
As stated in their mandate, RTEAN has a responsibility to organise or participate in periodic road safety campaigns aimed at educating those actively involved in road transport. It also has absolute control and authority, subject to the law or bye law of the land, over all motor park activities throughout Nigeria to facilitate orderliness and ensure the complete welfare of the passengers and the safety of their luggage. Again, its mandate is clear that the “Association shall not encourage, but rather work for the total elimination of touting at all motor parks in Nigeria.”
But by employing agberos, RTEAN has not only failed in its mandate to protect passengers and other road users but is complicit in endangering the lives of Nigerians. There is no reason whatsoever why touts should have the power to stop any vehicle, much less a private vehicle, in a city like Abuja. If these individuals are being used as a revenuegeneration tool, then the authorities must come clean. Let them present the enabling laws that allow for the outsourcing of the enforcement of these levies and devise a more civilised way of actualising their mandate. But touts should never be engaged in any form of law enforcement activity, nor should they be seen to be doing this in the seat of power.
With the 2027 general elections looming, their presence takes on an even more dangerous dimension, as political actors could easily use them in the breakdown of law and order. Moreover, for a city like Abuja, already grappling with the menace of “one chance” criminal gangs, the addition of these touts as enforcers only compounds the insecurity.
Therefore, we at Daily Trust demand a thorough investigation into the death of the couple around Mabushi and insist those responsible must be made to face the full wrath of the law. If RTEAN or any other body is found to have employed these touts, then they must be held liable. The families of the victims deserve justice, and the residents of Abuja deserve protection. While the FCT Police Command claims it is already investigating the incident, that claim must be backed by action, and the report of the investigation must be made public.
We also call on the FCT Minister, the FCT Police Command, and all relevant agencies to act decisively, dismantle the operations of all touts and flush them out of the city. The culture of impunity that allows agberos to thrive must be rejected by all.
*First published as Daily Trust Editorial, Thursday October 16, 2025
