Nigeria’s federal capital, Abuja, has witnessed a resurgence of kidnappings and violence after more than ten months of relative calm from bandits.
Just last week, bandits targeted travellers along the Abuja–Kaduna highway, kidnapping over 30 people, as reported by witnesses and community leaders. This unsettling incident occurred at Dogon-Fili near Katari, along the Kaduna-Abuja highway in Kachia Local Government Area of Kaduna State, marking the first security breach along this vital route in over ten months.
In a separate incident, ten individuals were abducted in the Dutse-Alhaji area of FCT, Abuja, where gunmen disguised as military personnel invaded the community. Eyewitnesses shared that the kidnappers, posing as herders, struck the estate around 7:30 pm.
These distressing occurrences highlight the persistent threat of kidnappings, often carried out by individuals in military uniforms, despite official denials from the police. Residents are now urging the government to step up regional security measures.
Suileman Ayomi, a resident, expressed fear, stressing the urgent need for enhanced security. Another resident, Charles Obodo, pointed to concerns regarding the activities of the Fulanis and called on authorities to address the issue.
Despite Abuja’s status as Nigeria’s political and administrative hub, it grapples with an escalating wave of kidnappings. Security expert Dr Jonathan Onoja Isaac urged the government to address the increasing insecurity in FCT, emphasizing the importance of profiling residents for adequate security.
Isaac criticized the absence of designated checkpoints and highlighted the need to prioritize the welfare of Nigerians, coupled with a focus on education to address the root causes of insecurity.
In a tragic update, one of the six sisters abducted in the Bwari area council of the Federal Capital Territory on January 5 has reportedly lost her life in captivity, according to a recent local media report. This heartbreaking development has sparked widespread public outcry on social media.
From January 2021 to June 30, 2023, FCT Abuja recorded 40 kidnapping cases involving a staggering 236 victims, as reported in a recent local media release. The surge in incidents emphasizes the pressing need for comprehensive security measures and heightened regional public awareness.
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