Tow away Director of Federal Housing Authority
By Segun Onibiyo- Abuja
Abuja—Gunmen, believed to be bandits have reportedly kidnapped Aondo Ver, a director at the Federal Housing Authority in Abuja.
The abduction was reported at Pambara New Extension, Bwari Central Area of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, around 7 a.m. on Thursday, February 1.
Pambara New Extension is approximately 200 yards from the military camp and checkpoint in Bwari.
The Fulani kidnappers reportedly gained access to the area as they cut through the fenced barbed wire.
Despite the efforts of local vigilantes to rescue the victim, their attempts were unsuccessful.
On January 28, 2023, bandits abducted two teenage sisters in Guita community, Chikakore, Kubwa, Bwari Area County of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
Abuja, the Federal Capital of Nigeria and the seat of power share boundaries with Kogi, Nasarrawa , Benue, Plateau, Kaduna in the Middle Belt, Ekiti, Enugu, Ondo, Oyo states who have experienced an increase in Fulani kidnapping and terrorist activities in the past months.
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, once known for its relative peace and security, is now a den of Fulani kidnappings, forcing residents to live in constant anxiety, according to residents speaking to TruthNigeria.
Between January 28 and 30, 2023, residents of Dei-Dei town, off Kubwa-Zuba Road under Bwari area County in Abuja, woke up to the news of the abduction of over 23 residents – mostly from three housing estates. These Kidnappers in military uniform, quietly carried out their operation at the livestock layout area near the popular Abuja livestock market.
Within 48 hours of the Dei-Dei incident, two children and nine adults were abducted at Gbaupe village, behind Aco Estate along Airport Road in Abuja.
Another incident was reported in the nearby Arab Road residential area in Kubwa town. Where seven residents were kidnapped by a Fulani terrorist group believed to share a base with the Dei-Dei operators.
In a separate incident, Fulani terrorists abducted over 85 persons, including travelers and residents, at Katari along the Kaduna – Abuja highways near Katari in the Kachia Local Government County of Kaduna State, resulting in the death of more than four residents.
Between Thursday and Sunday, January 7, 2024, 85 persons were abducted, with an additional 22 people kidnapped in Kawu Village in Bwari Area County.
In an interview with Truth Nigeria on the deteriorating security situation, mallam Ado Kabir, a Zuba-based trader said, “It is scary to think that you or your loved ones could be snatched away at any moment. Abuja used to be a relatively safe place, but not anymore. No one is safe anymore“.
Chief Danjuma Gejere a village head, emphasized the worsening insecurity in the area and the lack of government intervention. He called on the FCT Minister to urgently step into the matter and ensure the deployment of the needed number of security personnel to the area.
Hamzat Lawal, founder of Connected Development (CODE), said the increase kidnapping incidents can be linked to the divided interest of the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, between being the Minister of FCT and partisan politics in River state. He urged the Minister to focus on ensuring sustainable security in the nation’s capital.
Ade Mario Emmanuel, Director General of Coalition of Nigeria Youth on Security and Safety Affairs (CONYSSA), spoke about the need for increased security personnel in FCT and tighter security at the borders and a strategic plan focused solely on security. He called for the urgent passage of the Peace Corps bill to address the shortage of manpower within the security architecture of the country.
Executive Director of Resource Centre for Human Rights & Civic Education (CHRICED) Comrade Ibrahim M. Zikirullahi, linked the rise in kidnapping to poverty, unemployment, and lack of good governance. He emphasized the importance of governance that prioritizes the welfare of citizens, provides employment, and tackles corruption.
The FCT Command Police Spokesperson, DSP Josephine, assured residents of the commitment to fortifying security measures and implementing rigorous strategies to prevent abductions.
She said, “the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has ordered the deployment of police officers and security equipment to ensure the safety of travelers along the Abuja-Kaduna Expressway. IGP Egbetokun also directed strict monitoring of security personnel assigned to the route to act as a deterrent to criminal activities.”
—Segun Onibiyo- Abuja reports on crime for TruthNigeria from Kaduna city.
