THE Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has impounded more than 700 vehicles in Abuja for traffic offenses, including the use of fake number plates, illegal tinted glass, and other violations, as part of its renewed crackdown on criminally inclined motorists.
The Director of the FCTA Department of Security Services, Adamu Gwary, disclosed this yesterday during a late-night stop-and-search operation at Apo-Wassa junction and the Karu axis.
He was represented by the Secretary of the Command and Control Centre, Dr. Peter Olumuji.
Gwary explained that the clampdown is the second phase of Operation Sweep Abuja Clean, a joint security initiative targeting “one-chance” robbery syndicates and recovering stolen vehicles.
“So far, we have impounded over 700 vehicles from both phases of the operation. The exercise has drastically reduced one-chance incidents to the barest minimum,” he said.
He added that intelligence reports showed most vehicles used for one-chance robberies were either illegally tinted, unregistered, or carried fake plates.
Motorists—especially commercial drivers—were warned against using tinted glass, which criminals exploit to hide their activities.
The task force also recovered seven stolen vehicles in the past week alone. While urging residents to bear with the temporary inconveniences caused by the operations, Gwary stressed that the measures were designed to protect lives and property.
Also speaking, Deborah Osho, Head of Operations at the Directorate of Road Traffic Services, said the joint team was intensifying efforts against unregistered and unpainted taxis, often linked to criminal activities.
She noted that many impounded vehicles were caught driving against traffic or using plates not assigned to them.
“Most one-chance vehicles either carry fake number plates or operate as unpainted taxis, making them difficult to trace. Today in Karu, the huge number of vehicles apprehended sends a clear message—Abuja is too hot for criminals,” Osho stated.
Officials assured residents that the clampdown would continue until order is fully restored on the capital’s roads.