The residents of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, are beginning to be worried about the noticeable resurgence of insecurity in the seat of the federal government.
Considering the fact that the nation’s security apparatus are all domiciled in this city, its safety for citizens would have been taken for granted. Unfortunately, in our opinion, that is not presently the case as Abuja has become a hotbed of criminal activities such as armed robbery, kidnapping, robbers on wheels or what is euphemistically referred to as ‘one chance’ and carjacking. This development is giving everyone, including the authorities, genuine cause for concern.
Being the nation’s capital, Abuja is home to people of varied background and nationality, including high-profile individuals, government officials, the diplomatic corps, foreign dignitaries, artisans, and even the unemployed. It’s also the seat of power where the three arms of government, executive, legislative and judiciary as well as the security chiefs are based.
Reports indicate that some notorious points where criminals frequently operate have been identified. These include major traffic terminals like Berger; Area 1; Area 2 Plaza; Area 10 in Wuse, Lugbe; Apo Mechanic Village axis; Kubwa Express Way; Jabi axis; City Gate; Mabushi bridge; Zone 2 among others.
Speculation is rife that the rise in crime is traceable to the influx of unemployed and unskilled young people from many parts of the country and outside. Also, the city is fast becoming a destination for those escaping from areas ravaged by terrorism and banditry and even the criminals themselves.
The situation is so troubling that even recreation centres, including gardens and parks in the FCT, which ordinarily ought to aid social interaction and relaxation, are now dark alleys where questionable elements operate from, or hibernate after their operations.
The security situation in the FCT is also a reflection of the general state of insecurity in the country. Nigeria has been grappling with a rising wave of crime and criminality for several years now, with Boko Haram insurgency in the northeast, banditry in the northwest, and kidnapping in other parts of the country.
The FCT Police Command recently confirmed the deteriorating security situation in the nation’s capital. It said that there has been a series of reported cases of kidnapping within the FCT, and claimed that the Command was on top of the situation. They cited the rescue of some kidnap victims as proof that progress is being made in the effort to secure the city.
While we commend their efforts in this regard, we are compelled to urge the Force to do more to monitor the activities of destitute elements who use their conditions as a camouflage to perpetrate and perpetuate crime. As a newspaper, we are not unaware of the challenges the force and other security agencies are confronted with as they try to cope with inadequate working facilities.
Even with occupational problems that interfere with their effectiveness, the security agencies have also been criticised for their lack of coordination. The police, military, and other security agencies operate independently of each other, which has led to a lack of synergy in their operations. This lack of coordination has made it seemingly easy for criminals to operate in the FCT, as there is no unified approach to tackling crime.
As a newspaper, we are persuaded to argue that there is no magic wand that can curtail insecurity other than the deployment of relevant tools of good governance, proper technology, necessary military and police equipment, a well-trained and properly remunerated manpower, and lowering of tensions in the country through enthronement of a government that serves all and not a section or group.
We also believe that the spate of crimes in the FCT can be addressed by improving governance. The absence of this will lead to a breakdown of law and order, and create a vacuum so easily filled by criminal elements.
The government must also invest in intelligence gathering and surveillance equipment to aid the security agencies in their operations. The use of technology such as CCTV cameras and drones will enable the security agencies to monitor the city and respond to threats real-time.
The government has a primary responsibility to protect the lives and property of the people. And they can do this through pragmatic policies which are carefully and systematically conceptualized and executed.
It, therefore, behooves on the government to develop policies and programmes which will make the city safe and habitable for all. The new FCT administration must do everything within the ambit of the law to change the narrative.
