In an effort to make transportation safer, Abuja will introduce a new rule starting in January, requiring private vehicles used as taxis to undergo profiling and repainting in the official Abuja taxi color. This announcement was made by Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, who explained that the measure aims to reduce the risk of ‘one chance’ crimes.

‘One chance’ crimes are a tactic where criminals pretend to be taxi drivers, often using unregistered or private vehicles, to lure and rob unsuspecting passengers. By requiring profiling and the use of an official taxi color, the government hopes to make it easier for passengers to identify authorized taxis and feel safer on the road.

Minister Wike emphasized that at official bus and taxi terminals, authorities keep track of the vehicles and drivers, offering a sense of security for passengers. However, he pointed out that those who choose to travel using private or unregistered vehicles take on personal risk. This new rule aims to provide clearer boundaries, making it safer for people who rely on taxis for their daily travel.

The profiling and repainting policy will ensure that only registered and recognized taxis operate within the city, helping to provide a more secure environment for all residents.

Wike said: “First of all, let us appreciate that what we’re doing in terms of using bus terminals is okay, and then how would you run it in terms of sustainability

“Now what we have agreed, government can not only depend on private sectors in terms of transportation,

“While we allow the private sector to participate, government will on it’s own provide the infrastructure .

“Now how do you run it? Bring private people, to partner with government ,to make sure it’s more efficient.

“With what we’re doing now, when by January, February when the bus terminals will start and people are now applying to partner with government to run it for it to be more efficient and effective.

“By January we can’t allow private people to run taxis without profiling and without using the Abuja colour, so we can reduce the level of ‘one -chance’.

“When you go to the bus and taxi terminals, and you board a vehicle they know the vehicle you’re boarding, they know the driver, but if you go on the road on your own, taking risk it’s your business.”