Vice chairman of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) Gwagwalada branch, David Ebosetale Aigbefoh called for increase in the security surveillance of the federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja in view of the looming kidnapping and banditry activities in the area.
Relying on a 2020 report by SB Morgan, which observed that the FCT ranked 11th among places where abductions are prevalent, Aigbefoh said “there is an anecdotal evidence that some of the perpetrators responsible for Kaduna state’s high rate of crime perhaps have extended their nefarious operations to the Federal Capital (FCT).”
He said the report also indicates that not less than $18.84 million has been paid as ransom to various kidnappers across the country in 2020.
He suggested that, although the FCT arguably remains the safest part of Nigeria by virtue of it being the seat of power, there should be more deployment of police patrol teams at strategic locations, including Keffi, Kaduna, Lokoja-Abuja roads, up to other towns such as Gwagwalada, Tungan Maje and Zuba.
He said the security agencies should close ranks and work in synergy among themselves in order to strengthen security in the FCT, explaining that the residents could also help to report any suspicious person or persons or even activities in and around their neighbourhoods to the nearest police station.
Aigbefoh added that more police stations should be established, especially in vulnerable communities like Tungan Maje, Kuje and the neigbourhoods in the FCT, where insecurity have become worrisome in recent time.
“As a matter of fact, if not for the swift intervention of the FCT Commissioner of Police through the deployment of Police Special Squad in the areas affected the crime rate would have increased terribly,” he said.
Barr Aigbefoh described security as everybody’s concern, saying all hands must be on deck to ensure the protection of lives and property in all the communities in and around the FCT.
