The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, announced that from January 2025, unregistered or unprofiled vehicles will no longer be allowed in the capital city. Wike stated that all commercial buses in Abuja must undergo profiling by the Nigeria Police Force and the Department of State Services (DSS) to enhance security and accountability.

Speaking at the FCT Renewed Hope Youth Empowerment Programme in Abuja on Thursday, Wike also handed over new cars to beneficiaries to be used as taxis, emphasizing that the government provided these vehicles free of charge to support local families and make transportation more affordable in the city.

Encouraging the beneficiaries, he noted, "Many Nigerians who shy away from taxi driving at home embrace similar jobs abroad, so there is no reason to feel ashamed of this opportunity."

To address issues like kidnapping and “one-chance” robberies, the minister emphasized that from January 2025, only commercial vehicles that are officially profiled and registered will be allowed to operate in Abuja. He explained that profiling would include security checks, driver identification, and mandatory adherence to the official Abuja color scheme.

"Starting January, all vehicles used for public transport must have proper security approval. We will collect drivers' names, vehicle numbers, and other essential information, so passengers can have peace of mind about the vehicles they enter," Wike said.