The National Industrial Safety Council of Nigeria (NISCN) has called on the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, to urgently address what it described as “terrorism” by workers in the transportation sector in Abuja.
NISCN, established by the Federal Government in 1964 and officially gazetted in 1989, said it was worried by the growing menace of motor touts, particularly within the transport unions in the FCT, who have continued to harass and endanger motorists on Abuja roads.
According to the statement signed by NISCN President, Engr. John Obajinmi, notorious union members and municipal touts, especially those od AMAC, have taken over the roles of law enforcement by extorting money from car owners under the guise of selling “union tickets.”
“They have made it a crime for car owners to park, carry, or drop relatives or friends on the road, thereby causing avoidable accidents across the city,” the statement read. “The sad thing is that they always commit these crimes in the presence of police officers who should be protecting the masses.”
The council listed Wuse Market, Ilobu Petrol station, Bannex Bridge, Mabushi, Berger Bridge, Area 1, and Airport Road bridges as notorious hotspots for such activities.
Highlighting the tragic consequences of the menace, NISCN cited an incident at Mabushi on Tuesday, September 2, where a couple died in a car crash after touts forcefully reached into their private car and struggled for control of the steering wheel. The retaliation by residents, which resulted in the death of two of the touts, was described as a dangerous signal of public frustration.
“This speaks volumes: people are frustrated and are ready to take the law into their hands unless the FCT government intervenes quickly to stop the looming anarchy,” the statement read
Beyond the transport sector, the council also called on the minister to tackle what it termed a “textbook scam” in Abuja schools, accusing publishers and school owners of compelling pupils to write assignments directly in textbooks, making them unusable by younger siblings and forcing parents to buy new copies every academic session.
“This action is not only increasing heavy burdens on parents and workers, but it is also worsening climate change through avoidable production of new books,” Obajinmi said. “The hardship caused by this menace is triggering emotional and mental stress for Nigerian workers, and it calls for urgent intervention.”
He urged Wike, as the chief security officer of the FCT, to follow the example of governors in states such as Anambra and Ebonyi, who have banned the practice of writing directly in textbooks, describing it as both wasteful and unsustainable.
“The FCT Minister is in the position of a governor in Abuja. He should take decisive action to ease the people’s pains in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” Obajinmi added.
