Insecurity Festers in FCT, Gunshots as 3 Abducted at Estate Despite Special Intervention Squad

*Halt deadly, coordinated attacks, NADECO tells Tinubu 

*Security experts query absence of tracking technology, level of superior firepower

*Say kidnap for ransom incidents in FCT now comparable to Borno, Kaduna, Sokoto Niger, Nasarawa
*Military conducts ground, air surveillance

Chuks Okocha and Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja

The deteriorating security situation in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) heightened yesterday with the abduction of three people at an estate behind the Nigerian Army Post-Service Housing Scheme in Kurudu.
Kurudu is one of the communities on the border between the FCT and Nasarawa State and is located in the Abuja Municipal Area Council.
In another development, there was an exchange of gunfire between kidnappers and policemen, who rescued an Abuja resident, Segun Akinyemi, who was kidnapped as he was driving out of his home.
These came as the National Democratic Coalition, NADECO, based in the United States, yesterday, called on President Bola Tinubu, to halt all deadly and coordinated attacks on innocent Nigerians.

Also, the precarious security situation, which had elicited desperate circulation of security tips and precautionary security measures on social media to guide residents, has been condemned by security experts on account of the huge investments in security technology, including linking sim cards to National Identification Number (NIN).
According to them, phone numbers not linked were not expected to function and that phone calls could be tracked, stating that it was regrettable that kidnappers continue to go on the rampage, kidnapping people on highways, at their homes and even in hotels, demanding and receiving ransom without being tracked and arrested.

An assessment of the security situation in the FCT conducted by Beacon Consulting, a security consulting firm that conducts assessment of security trends across the country, revealed that kidnap for ransom incidents showed a gradual but steady rise in the nation’s capital, comparable to the levels of kidnap for ransom in states like Sokoto, Borno, Nasarawa, Kaduna and Niger.
The firm, in its latest report, stated that in December 2023, there were 26 documented events, comprising security operations and security threat events, resulting in five fatalities and 67 individuals abducted in Abuja.
“When compared to the previous month’s analysis, there is a 36.84 per cent increase in incident occurrences, a 75 per cent decrease in fatalities, and a 168 per cent increase in abducted persons.”
Speaking on the abduction, the Director of Army Public Relations, Maj. Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, confirmed that the incident happened in the estate at about 9.00 p.m. on Thursday.

Residents of the estate said the abductors fired gunshots before escaping with their victims.
However,  Nwachukwu said troops responded to a distress call from the estate and were currently on a search and rescue operation.
In the second kidnap case, the abductors were taking Akinyemi from Army Estate in Dutse, Abuja to Kano State, when the police swooped in on them, according to the Kaduna State Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Mansir Hassan.
He said on January 18, 2024, operatives attached to Kawo Divisional Headquarters, Kaduna State, received a distress call of a kidnapping incident from Abuja.
He noted that they were alerted that the culprits and their victim were transiting through Kaduna.
The FCT Police Command confirmed, “the arrest of one Chinaza Phillip, a notorious Abuja kidnapper by police operatives of the Kaduna State Police Command on Thursday 18th January, 2024.

“The suspect has been handed over to FCT police Command today being Friday 19th January, 2024, and currently in police custody”, said a statement issued by the Spokesperson of FCT Police Command, Superintendent of Police (SP), Josephine Adeh.
In a chat with THISDAY, the Executive Director, Rule of Law and Advocacy Center (RULAAC), Okechukwu Nwanguma, queried the rationale behind the non-application of the call tracking system which was the reason for National Identification Number (NIN).
He also flayed the setting up of a Special Intervention Squad by the Inspector-General of Police for the FCT, describing it as a knee jerk approach.
Nwanguma said, “I’m not sure that setting up a Special Intervention Squad is the appropriate response to the escalating spate of kidnappings in Abuja and indeed, in other parts of Nigeria.

“This looks more like a knee jerk response to the pressure on the IGP to rise to the occasion. I think there already exists so many tactical teams in the NPF that could do what this new team has been purportedly set up to do.
“The question is, how equipped are the police generally to tackle crime? Do they have the motivation and the firepower that can match those of the bandits?
“How come that despite huge investments in security technology, including linking sim cards to NIN which entails that no phone number that is not linked can work and every phone call can be tracked, kidnappers continue to be on the prowl, kidnapping people on highways, at their homes and even in hotels, demanding and receiving ransom without being tracked and arrested?
“There is no other conclusion than that there is compromise and collusion by some powerful vested interests within the government who probably are the sponsors and beneficiaries of crime.

“If the NPF has not been able to tackle kidnapping and other crimes before now, it is not because a special team does not exist to do so.
“It is because there are powerful people behind the crimes or there is no political will to do what needs to be done to tackle crime.”
In an interview with THISDAY, a former Spokesman of the Nigerian Army, Brig Gen Sani Usman (rtd), lamented the rising incidents of kidnapping in the nation’s seat of power and called for concerted efforts to contain the trend.
“Indeed, the rising crime rate within the FCT, especially kidnappings, is worrisome and calls for concerted efforts to mitigate it. It is heartwarming to see the FCT Minister holding meetings with security heads and also the President having meetings with heads of security agencies, possibly on the same issue among other things.

“Nonetheless, there is an urgent need to address the issue by first understanding why the sudden surge of kidnappings in the FCT and then taking drastic measures to address it. Such efforts should be far-reaching and comprehensive.
“There should be proper collaboration, cooperation and coordination of the activities and operations of the security agencies. The government should involve the leadership of communities and traditional leaders, especially in the areas of information and intelligence gathering.
“Security agencies should have more human resources equipment and means of transportation to respond timely. Above all, the government should address the root causes of some of the conflicts which should be predicated on political, social and economic framework.
“Let us enhance the criminal justice system to make it more responsive and efficient. Above all, we have to strengthen and enhance our policing system and revive the community police, among others.

“In addition, they should leverage technology and capacity building, as well as harmonisation and utilisation of available data to fight this crime,” he said.
Meanwhile, NADECO, based in the United States, yesterday, called on Tinubu, to halt all deadly and coordinated attacks on innocent Nigerians.
In a statement tagged ‘Urgent Call for Action: Addressing Key Issues in Nigeria’, and signed by the Chairman, NADECO USA, Prof. Mondy Gold, expressed concern over the impunity of some political office holders and their dictatorial actions at the detriment of other Nigerians.
According to the group, “NADECO expresses deep concern over the tragic Christmas Day incident in Plateau State, where over two hundred Christians lost their lives. The organisation sees this as indicative of a resurgence of religious persecution, a matter that requires immediate national and international attention.
“The security situation in Nigeria is a matter of great concern, with NADECO calling for a concrete response to the insecurity crisis. The deadly coordinated attacks must be halted, and there is a call for a thorough evaluation of the effectiveness of the security measures in place. If necessary, a realignment of priorities and strategies is demanded to ensure the safety and well-being of Nigerian citizens.

“NADECO emphatically calls for a detribalised, accountable, and people-oriented leadership in Nigeria. The organisation highlights that achieving this goal may necessitate a proper restructuring and amendment of the current constitution.”
The group also expressed dismay over the way recent monetary allocations were made while Nigerians suffered due to poor access to basic amenities, including high food prices amid daunting insecurity challenges.
“The specific allocation of funds has drawn scrutiny, as outlined by NADECO. The allocation of substantial amounts, such as N20 billion for the renovation of the Vice President’s official quarters, N10 billion for digitalising the quarters of the President and Vice President, N8 billion for the President’s quarters’ renovation, N12 billion for building a Legislative Library, N3 billion for purchasing books for the Library, and N6 billion for the members of the National Assembly’s parking lot, has raised questions about the prioritisation of national needs in the face of a depressed economy.
“NADECO poses critical questions about the apparent misplacement of priorities and expresses concern about the recklessness in allocating such significant sums.
“The organisation contends that these expenditures will not translate into increased productivity, particularly in vital areas such as agriculture and transportation, and will not effectively address the unemployment crisis faced by millions of Nigerian youths.
“Furthermore, NADECO notes economic indicators pointing to a depressed economy and urges decisive action to address the macroeconomic crisis,” it said.
NADECO demanded a transformative shift in Nigeria’s trajectory, freedom from the shackles of divisive forces, and others.

Military Conducts Ground, Air Surveillance in FCT

The military high command said yesterday that troops launched ground and air surveillance in kidnap hot spots in the FCT.
It said a joint operation with other security services and stakeholders was afoot to investigate and gather more intelligence on kidnap gangs around the FCT.
It assured that the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) was working relentlessly to address the hurtful situation.
A statement issued by the Director, Defence Media Operations (DDMO), Maj Gen Edward Buba, said troops   increased the tempo operations in order to find, degrade and destroy the terrorist and cohorts wherever they were hiding.

“In the FCT and environs, some of the areas cleared by troops so far include Kawu, Gaba, Deidei, Kubwa Hills, and Ushafa in the FCT, Garam, Jibi, and back of Zuma Rock in Niger State as well as Gidan Dogo and Kuyeri/Kuyeri Hills in Kaduna State.
“There have also been intensified night patrols in the Mpape, Kubwa, Lugbe, Pyakasa, Keti, Gbaupe, Gbaukuchi, and Airport Rd among others”, it said.
The statement said”the armed forces is not unaware of the terrible impact of kidnappings on the families of those affected.
“Indeed, our hearts and thoughts go to their families and loved ones. We also recognise the fear that these kidnappings creates among the citizenry, following recent events in the FCT.
“While troops probably don’t have all the answers as at now. Citizens should be rest assured that the armed forces is working relentlessly to address the hurtful situation”

It said troop were synergising with other security services and stakeholders  to investigate and gather more intelligence on these kidnapping gangs, particularly around the FCT.
“Troops have prioritized the areas of these kidnappings, increased both ground and air surveillance over the areas.  Technologies have also been deployed to more easily detect these kidnapping gangs in their hideouts and enclaves.
“Furthermore, troops   increased the tempo operations in order to find, degrade and destroy the terrorist and cohorts wherever they were hiding. In the FCT and environs, some of the areas cleared by troops so far include Kawu, Gaba, Deidei, Kubwa Hills, and Ushafa in the FCT, Garam, Jibi, and back of Zuma Rock in Niger State, as well as Gidan Dogo and Kuyeri/Kuyeri Hills in Kaduna State. There have also been intensified night patrols in the  Mpape, Kubwa, Lugbe, Pyakasa, Keti, Gbaupe, Gbaukuchi, and Airport Rd among others”, it said.