The Nigeria Police Force has banned car racing, often organised by ‘rich kids’ in the nation’s capital.

The Commissioner of Police, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), CP Babaji Sunday on Thursday “ordered all the Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) in the FCT and their supervisory Area Commanders to ensure the full enforcement of the prohibition of all kinds of car and speed races in their respective Area of Responsibility (AoR)”.

The children of the rich and affluent in Abuja are notorious for organising deadly car racing, especially during holidays, where they drive recklessly in a bid to outrun each other and show off the prowess of their luxurious cars on highways around the city centre.

However, FCT residents have raised alarm over the endangerment of lives, property and infrastructure posed by these deadly races. The outcry prompted the police to enforce the prohibition of car and speed races in the nation’s capital.

The CP in a statement signed by police spokesperson, DSP Josephine Adeh “noted that Section 228 of the National Road Traffic Regulations, 2012 is clear on the prohibition of any car race, drag race, acceleration contest, test of physical endurance, exhibition of speed, etc.”

The police commissioner further warned “that any person or group caught organising or participating in the prohibited car racing event would be arrested and prosecuted accordingly.”

He encouraged citizens to be their brother’s keeper by reporting violators on the command’s hotlines – 08032003913, 08061581938, 07057337653 and 08028940883.

He also said they could report suspicious activity that threatens public peace and national security on the hotlines.