Abuja — Since President Bola Tinubu started leading on May 29, 2023, there have been more than 200 violent attacks in the Federal Capital Territory’s (FCT) six area councils. Sadly, 87 people lost their lives, and 176 were kidnapped during these incidents.
This information comes from Beacon Consulting, a local security monitoring firm, and various media reports. The FCT, once thought to be safe, is now dealing with an increasing wave of crimes, especially kidnappings.
In the last three years, Abuja has seen close to 50 kidnappings involving over 200 people. Examining data from January 2021 to June 2023 reveals about 40 cases with 236 victims.
This insecurity has serious economic consequences, with confirmed ransom payments totaling N653.7 million between 2021 and 2022. People and businesses in affected areas face challenges, affecting their daily lives and economic activities.
Recent incidents include the January 5, 2024 abduction of seven people, including six girls, in the Bwari Area Council. The most recent involves the kidnapping of lawyer Cyril Adikwu’s wife and in-law on January 18, 2024, in Kurudu, Abuja.
To address the surge in insecurity, Inspector-General of Police Olukayode Egbetokun launched the Special Intervention Squad (SIS) on Wednesday. This team will patrol and secure communities in the FCT’s border areas to prevent violent attacks. It aims to tackle security concerns, especially in crisis-prone areas and exit routes.
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As Nigerians seek lasting solutions to security challenges, the SIS, made up of specially trained officers, will act swiftly and effectively to contain security breaches. This move is part of the police’s comprehensive approach to address the increasing criminal activities in and around the FCT.
