Fear in Abuja over rising kidnaps

Residents of Federal Capital Territory(FCT) Abuja have expressed
fears for their safety over the rising spate of kidnappings in the
city.

Nine persons were abducted in Pegi community, in Kuje Area
Council of the FCT on Monday by gunmen dressed in military
camouflage.

Just a couple of days later, gunmen abducted Nigeria Security
and Civil Defence Officer with his wife and son, right in his home
at Dafara community in Kuje Area Council of the FCT.

Following these developments there has been palpable fear within
the FCT with residents wondering who the next victim would be.

A resident ,who gave his name as Musa Abdullahi, said: “Right
now people are living in fear. No one trusts anyone anymore. Things
were not like this before and we wonder what is responsible. We do
not feel safe anymore.

“They keep giving us assurances but everyday we keep hearing
these criminalities. Right now no one knows who the next victim
will be.

“We cannot even sleep with our eyes closed anymore. The level of
insecurity in Abuja has risen and it is almost a state of emergency
that we have here right now. Something urgent must be done and must
be done now. Let them identify what went wrong and fix it so we can
be at rest,” he said.

Another resident, Florence Nwankwo, said: “You can imagine a
security personnel kidnapped right in his home. So what assurances
do we have. If someone in security can be abducted what hope if
there for us civilians.

“They are not even targeting just rich people, who even have
security anymore. Right now they are going after anyone who can
raise anything for them. They are going after anyone they can lay
their hands on. You can imagine what that means for us. Who knows
what they would do to victims who cannot afford ransom. It is
frightening for us.”

A statement of assurance by the police has done little to
assuage the frayed nerves of residents.

The statement by the Police Public Relations Officer, Anjuguri
Manzah, reads: “The police are reassuring the public that it will
not relent on its effort until the activities of these hoodlums and
other crimes are permanently checked.”

According to him, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police
Command has commenced a joint counter operation against latest
kidnapping in Abuja and its environs.

“The joint operation comprising the Police and other security
agencies is also being extended to other identified black spots
within the Federal Capital Territory.

“The operation is aimed at rescuing hostages, arresting the
suspects and permanently checkmating the emerging security concerns
especially around Kuje-Robuchi axis.

“As the security agencies are working assiduously to rescue the
victims, residents are enjoined to be calm and support the ongoing
operation with useful information.

“Further steps are also being made to engage relevant
stakeholders in various communities as part of renewed effort to
check this crime,” the statement read.

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