The Muslim community has appealed to the authorities of the Federal Capital Territory administration (FCTA) to install speed bumps on the two roads leading to the national mosque in the Central Area of Abuja.

Several Muslims expressed their concerns to Abuja Metro, saying it is worrisome that the roads in front of the mosque remain without speed bumps, creating danger to people crossing the roads to the mosque.

Abuja Metro learnt that speed bumps were once installed on the roads, but they were dismantled by FCTA some years back.

Malam Tukur Abdullahi, a regular attendee of the mosque, voiced his frustration over the issue, urging FCT authorities to take immediate action. “There’s an urgent need to return the speed bumps on the roads.

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“The situation is becoming increasingly hazardous for everyone, especially those walking to the mosque.”

An Islamic preacher, who gave his name as Sheikh Ibrahim, also lamented the absence of the speed bumps, questioning the reasoning behind their removal.

“We don’t know the wisdom behind removing them in the first place,” he said.

“It’s almost as if the patience of Muslims is being taken for granted. It’s as if motorists deliberately overspeed when they approach the mosque, particularly near the Sheraton bridge. It happens at both of the mosque’s gates.”

Sheikh Ibrahim continued, “This is a public avenue, and it is crucial for the authorities to reinstall the speed bumps. The situation is really bad and unsafe.”

He went on to suggest an alternative for the Muslim community: “If the government cannot provide traffic lights or traffic wardens, then Muslims should find a way to protect themselves. We may need to set up voluntary traffic wardens to manage the situation.”

Abuja Metro further learnt that several innocent people have been knocked down by speeding motorists while attempting to cross the road to the mosque for prayers.

Furthermore, sources revealed that the former management of the national mosque had made concerted efforts to revive the speed bumps, but those efforts were unsuccessful.

An official of the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), who craved anonymity, said speed breakers installed on the major roads by the Adamu Aliero’s administration were ordered to be removed by the National Assembly then.

He said since then, the administration had been very careful in erecting those speed breakers on the roads.

He, however, admitted that the road in front of the national mosque needs such breakers in the interest of the worshipers and promised to communicate with the necessary department on that.