Abuja, Nigeria’s capital city, has been grappling with a surge in banditry and kidnapping incidents, causing fear and insecurity among its residents. Criminals have been operating with impunity, targeting communities in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and neighboring states. This report aims to shed light on the recent wave of attacks, the impact on the affected communities, and the response from authorities.
Since December of the previous year, Abuja has witnessed a series of attacks by bloodthirsty bandits. In Kuduru, Bwari area council of the FCT, as well as Garam and Azu communities in Niger State, four people have been killed, and 39 others have been kidnapped. The attacks have left residents living in constant fear, as the criminals show no restraint in their actions.
The brutality of these bandits is evident in the stories of their victims. In Garam, the bandits killed a pastor from the Redeemed Christian Church of God and kidnapped 13 others. In Kuduru, they kidnapped 18 people, and in Azu, they killed three individuals and abducted eight more. The bandits have shown no mercy, even killing their targets in front of their families.
The attacks continued into the New Year, with bandits targeting Zuma community in Bwari area council. Two police officers were injured during a face-off with the bandits, and an undisclosed number of residents were kidnapped. These incidents have further heightened concerns about the security situation in Abuja.
The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) and the FCT Police Command have taken steps to address the escalating crisis. The FCT Minister has mandated security agencies to ensure the safety of residents in Bwari area council and other parts of the FCT. The police commissioner of FCT, CP Haruna Garba, has visited affected communities, deployed additional personnel, and enhanced security measures. The FCTA has urged residents to share pertinent information with the police and refrain from spreading unverified news on social media.