Economic hardship and rising living costs have forced many private car owners, including civil servants in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), to use their vehicles to convey passengers for pay, a practice popularly known as “kabu kabu.” Some residents told journalists on Sunday in Abuja that the practice has become more visible on major routes within the city centre as a coping strategy to augment income, buy fuel, and meet daily expenses. Ibrahim Musa, a civil servant, said he started picking passengers along the Kubwa–Wuse axis after work hours because “my salary can no longer cover basic needs for my family these days,” adding that the extra income helps him buy fuel and support his household.
Other residents echoed similar experiences, noting that the practice has quietly gained ground among colleagues and neighbours. Sadiq Lawal, another civil servant, said, “It is not that we want to be commercial drivers, but things are hard. Transport fares are high and fuel is expensive. This is survival.” While some passengers welcomed the development as a cheaper and more comfortable option, concerns were raised about safety and regulation. Emmanuel Aper, a Gwarimpa resident, warned that “you do not know who is a registered driver or not,” while transport analyst Kabir Abdullahi said the trend reflected broader economic pressures and gaps in public transport, stressing that improving mass transit would reduce the burden on residents.