Frustration Rising In Abuja As FCT Residents Voice Out In Worries Over  Crime Rates....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

A number of Federal Capital Territory (FCT) residents have expressed deep concern over the escalating incidence of kidnapping and robberies within the city center in recent times. Several residents, in interviews conducted on Sunday, characterized the prevailing insecurity situation in the FCT as deeply troubling, alarming, and utterly unacceptable. They urgently implored both security agencies and the FCT Administration to take decisive measures to protect residents from criminal activities.

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Mr. Joel Adewale, a civil servant, recounted a recent incident where his daughter was attacked while traveling from Wuse to Gwagwalada. She was forcibly taken to a remote location off Airport road, where her belongings were stolen. The criminals even compelled her to contact her father and request a money transfer, which they subsequently extracted using a Point of Sale (PoS) machine. Adewale described the incident as resembling a kidnap-for-ransom scenario and stated that he had to part with N150,000 to secure his daughter’s release.

Mr. Joshua Orogun, the former President of the Abuja Newspapers Distributors Association, pointed out that the rising insecurity in the FCT had persisted for over 15 years. While acknowledging the efforts of previous administrations, he called upon the present administration to adopt robust measures to address the dire situation. He specifically appealed to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory to deploy necessary resources to tackle the issue urgently, emphasizing the need for a sincere approach and collective efforts.

Mr. Friday Odekina, a communication expert, attributed the increasing insecurity to a surge in the number of individuals in the FCT who lack means of livelihood. He argued that the influx of people not originally part of the city’s master plan has exacerbated the problem, as some resort to criminal activities for survival. Odekina urged the government to address this issue decisively, as it not only poses a nuisance but also threatens the safety of residents.

Adeniyi Olajide, a public servant, emphasized that the insecurity in the FCT had taken a new and alarming turn in recent times. He recounted an incident involving a friend who was kidnapped and remains in captivity despite the payment of ransom. Olajide urged the FCT Administration to intensify efforts to combat criminal activities in the territory, expressing concerns about the pervasive atmosphere of fear, even when taking taxis.

The FCT Police Command downplayed reports of increasing robbery, kidnapping, and criminal activities in the territory. According to SP Josephine Adeh, the command is actively working to protect lives and property, deploying assets and personnel across the territory to track and apprehend criminals. She urged residents to be vigilant, support law enforcement agencies with actionable intelligence, and exercise caution when using taxis.

The FCTA Task Force on City Sanitation reported that it has been targeting “one-chance” robbery syndicates in the city, which typically use unpainted taxis in unapproved motor parks to carry out criminal activities. The task force, comprising various security agencies, has been conducting raids to dislodge these miscreants from their hideouts, with the goal of enhancing safety and freedom of movement for residents.

Additionally, Mrs. Deborah Osho, Head of Operations at the FCTA Directorate of Road Traffic Service, disclosed that the task force is enforcing the ban on motorcycles and tricycles, which have been deemed a security threat in the city due to their involvement in criminal activities and accidents. Osho cautioned residents against using commercial motorcycles (okadas) and unpainted taxis for their own safety.