Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has officially banned car racing in residential neighbourhoods across Abuja, directing the FCT Traffic Management Department to enforce an immediate clampdown on the increasingly dangerous practice. Wike announced the ban on Monday, July 27, 2026, while speaking with journalists during an inspection of ongoing infrastructure projects in the nation’s capital, including the 13.125-kilometre Apo-Karshi road and the 14-kilometre Bwari-Kubwa road. The minister said the directive followed growing concerns over the safety risks posed by high-speed racing to residents and other road users, particularly in upscale districts where motorists often gather at night or on weekends to perform dangerous stunts.
Wike acknowledged that no formal complaint had been lodged with his office regarding the issue until it was raised during the press interaction. However, he promised swift action, saying he would immediately engage the traffic section to ensure compliance. “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,” Wike stated. The minister stressed that while residents engaging in the practice were often driven by pride in the quality of newly constructed roads, safety must come first. “They are trying to show how beautiful the roads are, but then they forget there are aspects of it that also pose danger to innocent citizens,” he said.
Wike clarified that the ban applies strictly to residential areas and does not extend to highways. “Rest assured that we will do everything possible to see that we don’t allow car racing within residential areas. But if it is on the highway, well, that we will not stop,” he said. He urged racing enthusiasts to limit their activities to designated tracks or approved non-residential locations where public safety would not be compromised. The minister appealed to thrill-seekers to recognise the limits of their rights, stating emphatically that “life is more important” than recreational racing.
The FCT Administration announced that it would coordinate with law enforcement and traffic regulatory bodies in the coming days to increase patrols and monitor identified high-risk zones in residential districts. The FCT Traffic Management Department has been directed to strengthen enforcement, ensure compliance, and prevent illegal racing on roads within residential communities. The move comes amid growing complaints from residents who have repeatedly raised concerns that the activities pose safety risks, generate excessive noise, and disrupt the peace of their neighbourhoods.
The ban has been met with mixed reactions. Some residents have welcomed the decision, describing it as long overdue and a necessary step to protect lives and property. Others, particularly motorsport enthusiasts, have expressed disappointment but acknowledged the minister's point about designated racing venues. The FCT Administration has yet to receive a formal written petition pinpointing specific locations of organised races, but Wike assured that the matter would be addressed through internal enforcement mechanisms. As enforcement begins, the directive signals a clear message that public safety will not be sacrificed for recreational thrills, and that the rights of residents to live in peace and security will take precedence over the desires of a few thrill-seekers.
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