Wike cautions speedsters to leave Abuja residential areas, prioritizing human safety

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has issued a stern warning that his administration will not tolerate car racing in residential areas of Abuja, emphasizing that the safety of the public is of utmost importance.

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While conducting an inspection of ongoing projects in the FCT on Monday, Wike responded to concerns about the dangers posed by car racing to residents and other road users, as reported by Channels TV.

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Despite acknowledging that no official complaint had been filed regarding the issue, Wike vowed to instruct the relevant authorities to investigate and take necessary measures to prevent such activities in residential neighbourhoods.

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Wike stated, "No formal complaint has been made, but now that we have heard from you, I will check the traffic section and let them understand that we will not allow that," highlighting his commitment to addressing the concern.

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He emphasized that individuals interested in car racing should restrict the activity to approved locations, rather than areas where people reside, saying "If they want to carry out their car racing, they should know that there are designated areas for it, not where we have people's residences."

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Wike appealed to car racing enthusiasts to recognize the limits of their rights, noting that protecting lives should take precedence over recreational activities, and added, "I appeal to them to understand that their rights have limitations and life is more important."

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He assured that his administration would take all necessary steps to prevent car racing in residential areas, but expressed doubt about stopping the activity on highways, saying "Be assured that we will do everything possible to ensure we will not allow car racing in residential areas, but on the highway I doubt we will stop it."

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During the inspection, Wike assessed the progress of the 13.125-kilometre Apo-Karshi road and the 14-kilometre Bwari-Kubwa road projects, assuring residents that the projects would be completed within the scheduled timelines.

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He reaffirmed the December 2026 completion target for the Apo-Karshi road, and expressed his administration's commitment to executing projects aimed at improving the quality of life of residents in the nation's capital.

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Concerns over illegal street racing and reckless driving have grown in parts of the Federal Capital Territory, particularly in upscale residential districts where motorists often gather at night or on weekends to perform high-speed stunts.

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Residents have repeatedly complained that these activities pose safety risks, generate excessive noise, and disrupt the peace of their neighbourhoods.