Dispatch riders in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, staged a protest on Thursday against multiple taxation.

According to The PUNCH, they gathered at the FCT Administration Secretariat, demanding intervention from FCT Minister Nyesom Wike.

The riders alleged they faced additional levies despite already paying their statutory taxes to the area councils.

Spokesperson for the riders, Olawale Ilesanmi, addressed journalists during the protest. He explained that members had consistently met their tax obligations but now encountered new revenue collectors seeking higher payments.

He said, “The N25,000 is far higher than what we pay to the area councils. We are, therefore, kicking against the multiple taxation that is directly affecting us in Abuja.

“We riders know that it is our statutory obligation to pay taxes, and we have been complying year after year, paying to AMAC, Bwari and Gwagwalada Area Councils.

“But all of a sudden, another group of tax collectors emerged with another demand in the name of the FCT Administration, asking for a higher tax compared to what we pay to AMAC.”

Dispatch riders currently pay N13,000 annually to the area councils, including Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), Bwari Area Council, and Gwagwalada Area Council.

A new levy of N25,000 introduced under the FCT Administration has added to their financial strain.

Ilesanmi alleged that authorities had impounded some motorcycles, requiring owners to pay the new levy before recovering their bikes.

He also highlighted extra charges faced during daily operations within the city.

The protesters stated that their demonstration sought to highlight unlawful multiple taxation and alleged extortion to the FCT Minister.

Officials from the FCT Transportation Secretariat later met with the riders’ leaders. They assured an investigation into the matter, leading to the suspension of the protest.

Earlier in the week, Acting Executive Chairman of the FCT Internal Revenue Service, Michael Ango, addressed concerns about multiple taxation among residents.

He said, “All the issues around duplicity and multiplicity of taxes within the FCT will, in a very short time, be resolved. One thing you can be sure of is that the FCT-IRS will be at the centre of that. It will drive this initiative and achieve it for all residents of the FCT.”

The Federal Government began enforcing a new tax regime on January 1, 2026. This followed the introduction of four major laws: the Nigeria Tax Act 2025, the Nigeria Tax Administration Act 2025, the Nigeria Revenue Service Establishment Act 2025, and the Joint Revenue Board Establishment Act 2025.