Fear-gripped residents of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have expressed dissatisfaction with the manner security agencies are handling the rising wave of kidnapping in Abuja, the nation’s capital.
They said both the authorities of the FCT and the police are not doing enough to protect them and secure the capital territory.
One of the residents, who claimed to be an eyewitness to the Dutse kidnapping, Wilfred Akikayo, said the kidnappers raided a few houses and escaped with their victims without any attempt by the police to stop them.
He said, “The kidnappers stormed Sagwari Estate Layout at about 7:30- 8pm. It seemed well-planned as they seemed to have already planned their exit through the mountain-top behind the estate.
“Actually, I was a witness to the act, and we gave the kidnappers some chase, but they had already moved the victims into the hills behind the estate. We had to wait for police reinforcement before venturing after them, which took about 20 minutes before three armed MOPOL men showed up.
“Their modus operandi was to knock on doors and whoever opened them was kidnapped. A lady ran from one of the houses into a hotel in the estate and chasing her there was what led to the kidnapping of two of the hotel staff.
“The DSS was later informed and some personnel showed up about 30 minutes later, and they fired gunshots into the hills probably to get a response from the kidnappers so as to engage them but they did not get that.
“The FCT used to be the safest place in Nigeria, but now, it is a scary place as terrorists are beginning to gain momentum, unfortunately, as they keep edging closer to the city. We urge the federal government to intensify their efforts to bring lasting peace and solutions as regards kidnapping and one-chance robberies,” he said.
Meanwhile, the kidnappers who abducted 10 people from Sagwari Estate Layout at Dutse in Bwari area council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on January 7 have reportedly killed three of their victims to send a strong warning to their relatives who are negotiating ransom payment.
According to the information received by our reporter, after killing three of their victims, the bandits increased their demand from the initial N60 million ransom per person to N100 million, now totaling N700 million.
Residents said the victims were allegedly killed over the delay in raising the ransom demanded by the kidnappers.
It was also gathered that a 13-year-old secondary school student, identified as Folorunsho Ariyo, was among those killed.
On Sunday, reports emerged that the kidnappers, who also operated in some villages in Bwari, had killed one of the six abducted persons to force the family into quickly raising the demanded ransom.
The residents of Sagwari Layout who are being pressed to the wall have perfected plans to stage a massive protest against the perceived inaction of the government and security agencies in rescuing their members.
However, the protest initially planned for Monday was shifted to today as a result of Armed Forces Remembrance Day.
Also, the kidnappers of Mansoor Al-Kadriyar sisters and their father are yet to release the victims despite the reported raising of N50 million by the immediate past minister of communications and digital economy, Isa Pantami, and a friend of his.
Pantami had revealed that one of his friends had offered to pay the remaining N50 million to complete the N100m ransom demanded by bandits.
Al-Kadriyar, his five children and the daughter of his late brother were abducted during the attack by kidnappers on Wednesday, January 3.
While Al-Kadriyar was later released with an order to provide N60m as a ransom for the abducted girls, one of his daughters, Nabeeha, was killed by the bandits and buried on Friday, with the abductors raising the ransom to N100m for the remaining five girls.
One of the uncles of the murdered victim of the Abuja kidnap, Sherifdeen Al-Kadriyar, was reported to have claimed that the kidnappers threatened to kill the other girls in their captivity if a ransom of N100m was not paid.
However, a senior police officer, who pleaded anonymity, said Pantami’s involvement and announcement had likely increased the problem of the victims as the kidnappers will likely play games and up their demands.
The source said what the minister did was to help the victims. However, announcing it to the public means giving the kidnappers leverage to bargain for more.
Recall that while reacting to the ugly incident in a post on his verified X handle on Sunday, Pantami tweeted, “Alhamdu lil Laah! I am personally not in support of paying ransom to criminals. However, since it have becomes clear – we lost our daughter Nabeeha yesterday, and the five remaining daughters have been threatened, as I spoke with the father on the matter yesterday and today.
“Furthermore, I spoke with a friend and a brother who offered to pay the remaining 50 million Naira of the N60m immediately. I conveyed the account number of the father of our daughters, Mansoor Al-Kadriyar, to the friend and brother to send the money directly. Any additional amount earlier generated from yesterday, the father can use to treat the daughters and other family members, in sha Allah.”
Rescue Victims, Remi Tinubu Tells Police
Meanwhile, the he First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has expressed her deep sorrow over the loss of Nabeeha Al-Kadriyar and extended her deepest condolences to the bereaved family.
In light of this tragedy, she has called upon the nation to unite in prayers for the safe return of the Al-Kadriyar sisters, who are currently held captive.
The First Lady urged security agencies to redouble their efforts in ensuring the safety and prompt return of the Al-Kadriyar sisters and others suffering a similar plight.
Emphasizing the urgency of the matter, Senator Tinubu highlighted the paramount importance of resolving these ongoing security challenges.
In a direct appeal to the parents, particularly mothers across the country, the First Lady called for intensified prayers for all children and for peace to prevail throughout Nigeria.
She expressed her hope that the Almighty God would provide comfort to the Al-Kadriyar family in their time of loss and would ensure the safe return of the other children.
Senator Tinubu invoked divine blessings for the Federal Republic of Nigeria, reflecting her deep concern for the wellbeing of its citizens and her commitment to addressing the critical issues facing the nation.
Retired Army General Chides Leaders
A retired very senior military officer said Abuja is under-policed while VIPs move with police escorts, leaving the citizens at the mercy of criminal gangs.
The senior officer, who had held very critical positions in the military, said those saddled with the responsibility to act “are neither prepared nor have the genuine will power to act” on issues concerning the security of the city.
“Some things are fundamentally wrong with our security construct around the FCT. First, the FCT is grossly under-policed! The police in the FCT are still serving individuals rather than plan and implement a comprehensive cover for the people of the FCT.
“For instance, check out the movement into the FCT along the main arterial routes of Zuba – FCT; Mararaba – FCT and Gwagwalada – FCT; who mans or monitors this mass movement in and out? You will notice that the presence of the police is negligible, if at all. You only see deployments along the Airport Route when the President or VVIPs are traveling”.
He said while the role of internal security is that of the Police, it has failed to realise that, allowing the system to militarise. He asked whether only the VIPs are entitled to Police protection.
“If you ask the police, they will firmly try to defend this failure just to preserve appointments and funds that get to them. A nation that accepts this standard is not a serious nation.
“Then, our leaders pretend that they don’t see these gaps just because they have armed escorts. What about the larger society…? That is why I said it is needless wasting time to speak. We are not serious with our security”.
He pointed out that internal security is a major responsibility of the police, and not the main responsibility of the military.
He added that the military was just required constitutionally to assist within a short period when the police are overwhelmed.
“The military has its primary responsibility, but this country has dragged and consigned the responsibility to the military and we also seem to be comfortable with that, to the extent that the Nigerian nation under a democracy does not know what ‘civic space’ looks or feels like. Everywhere is militarised! I must tell you, that is scary,” he said.
