•Gunmen
Despite the presence of 17 arms-bearing security agencies domiciled in Abuja, Nigeria’s Federal Capital Territory (FCT), kidnappers have, in the last one year, unleashed mayhem on hapless residents.
According to credible data made available to this paper, over 300 FCT residents were kidnapped between January and December, 2023. Out of the aforementioned figure, no fewer than 30 abducted residents lost their lives in kidnappers’ den, while several sustained wounds from abuses. Since January 1, no fewer than 50 persons in the FCT have been kidnapped and a few killed by the assailants, reports Daily Sun.
Findings from ransom demanded from victims’ families in the last one year has surpassed N1 billion. Though there is no official figure released by the government or civil society groups, investigations by our correspondents and interactions from victims and their families, showed that some paid as high as N30 million to secure the release of one victim. Between October and December 2023 alone, there were 13 recorded kidnap incidents and 80 victims. The incidents took place in Gbau, Kuje, Gauge, Pegi, Abaji, Keti, and Kwali. The aforementioned cases were unresolved by security agencies.
According to available records, confirmed payment of ransom totaled about N653.7 million between 2021 and 2022 alone. In the last quarter of 2023, a public servant, Surajudeen Olasinde, narrated how his wife, Mistura and two daughters; Hauwa and Fatima, were kidnapped around Galadima District of Abuja metropolis. He disclosed that the kidnappers demanded for N100 million ransom but were eventually paid N2.8 million.
A 2020 report by the SB Morgen also ranked Abuja 11th among locations with frequent cases of abductions. In the latest development in 2024 alone, victims were kidnapped in two major developments and they occurred in the first week of 2024. In the first week of the year, seven persons, all members of the same family, were abducted around Zuma 1 in the Bwari Area Council of the territory.
Similarly in Dei-Dei town located off Kubwa-Zuba Road, under Bwari Area Council in Abuja, over 23 residents of the community, mostly taken from three housing estates in the area, were kidnapped. It was gathered that the kidnappers, mostly said to be in military uniform, arrived at the livestock layout area, located at the popular Abuja livestock market, Dei-Dei, about 8 pm and carried out their operation. The area is surrounded by mountains.
The assailants attacked another area barely 48 hours after, abducting two children and nine adults at Gbaupe village, behind Aco Estate, along Airport Road in Abuja. Also, in Arab Road residential area, Kubwa, seven residents were abducted by kidnappers believed to be sharing the same base in the bush, with that of the Dei-Dei operators. Findings revealed that there is a similar feature in the aforementioned areas where kidnappings are prevalent. The areas are surrounded by isolated mountains and hills where the victims are believed to be kept.
Force spokesman, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, said the Nigeria Police have upscaled tactical intelligence teams to rescue the victims.
According to him, “In the wake of the abduction of six young girls in the Bwari Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory, it is vital to state that the Police have already initiated a comprehensive plan of action.
“The Force headquarters is diligently coordinating efforts to address this and prevent any further occurrence, as all hands are on deck to rescue the victims. However, the sensitivity of the situation necessitates discretion, and as a result, specific details are being kept confidential to avoid compromising ongoing operations.”
