132 Kidnapped, 5 Killed In 3 Months In FCT – Commission

Commissioner, Public Complaints Commission FCT, Dalhatu Ezekiel Musa has raised the alarm over the high rate of kidnapping for ransom and other criminalities in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja.

Addressing a press conference in Abuja, yesterday, Musa said the insecurity situation in the FCT has risen to an all-time high that even the city centre appears endangered presently.

He listed the number of kidnappings in the FCT in three months which showed that within the period about 132 persons were kidnapped and five killed.

He said that what started like communal clashes amongst remote communities and herders, has degenerated into full time business for these miscreants, adding that it is embarrassing, alarming and demeaning of our corporate existence that the Federal Capital Territory which is like the Washington DC in America is under siege by some handful of unknown gunmen.

He noted that these kidnapping activities that has surged in the FCT is threatening peace and businesses across the FCT most especially in the last 2-3 months, saying that communities in Kuje, Gwaggwalada, Kwali and Abaji all in Abuja South were living with fear before Bwari and Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) joined them in experiencing these heinous crimes.

The commissioner observed that it is now safe to say the entire six area councils are experiencing incessant kidnapping and killing of the victims and drew the attention of the minister of FCT and other relevant government agencies   to the following underreported kidnapping activities in the FCT in the last three months alone.

He said that reliable findings have revealed that these miscreants are very much aware of the security strategies of our armed forces, and suggested the reform of security strategy to confront them.

To improve the security situation, he suggested the provision of operational vehicles for enhanced mobility; establishment of FCT Security Trust Fund; activation of community-based security initiatives among others.