Abuja’s dangerous spots
Recently, the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) unveiled names of dangerous spots within Abuja city centre where hoodlums ply their trade. According to its statistics released by the FCT Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the Berger roundabout, Maitama District, Mabushi, Gwarinpa, Apo roundabout, Area 1 and 3, Galadimawa, Kubwa express and Wuse 2 are the top […]
Recently, the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) unveiled names of dangerous spots within Abuja city centre where hoodlums ply their trade. According to its statistics released by the FCT Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the Berger roundabout, Maitama District, Mabushi, Gwarinpa, Apo roundabout, Area 1 and 3, Galadimawa, Kubwa express and Wuse 2 are the top dangerous spots identified in the city centre. It said hoodlums disguised as taxi drivers also operate around AYA junction, Airport Road, Nicon junction and Utako/Jabi axis.
The authorities also discovered that the hoodlums use uncompleted buildings, highways with speed breakers, pedestrian bridges, crowded markets, parks and deserted streets as their hideouts. About 9,350 attacks were carried out in private properties while 2,984 offences were carried out against persons. Similarly, uncompleted buildings, which the FCT Administration has put at about 500 scattered across the city, are now safe havens for kidnappers who keep their victims in these places. Banex junction in Wuse II was identified as the hard drugs trade hub in Abuja despite the heavy presence of security agents in the vicinity.
FCT Minister Muhammad Musa Bello recently told newsmen that his administration was aware of activities of kidnappers in the city who use uncompleted buildings as their operational bases. He said his administration was working to ensure that names of owners of the identified uncompleted buildings is published so that they can give a time frame within which to complete their houses. Bello’s predecessor Bala Mohammed made a similar promise four years ago when he said there were 400 identified uncompleted buildings within Abuja city centre.
We lament the grim and unpalatable picture painted by the FCTA statistics which suggest that the federal capital is slowly becoming precarious and unsafe. Equally lamentable is the words of National Drug Law Enforcement Agency’s (NDLEA) Abuja command spokesman Mr. Peter Adegbe, who said arrests have been made around Banex junction in Wuse 2 but the culprits, when released, usually return to site.
Abuja, ‘the fastest growing city in Africa’, is gradually becoming a sharp contrast of its original plan. Infrastructure and public utilities in the city are deteriorating even as the authorities try to arrest the decay.
According to the 2006 census, Abuja city had a population of 776,298, making it one of the ten most populous cities in Nigeria. According to the United Nations, Abuja grew at the rate of 139.7% between 2000 and 2010. By 2015 the city was experiencing an annual growth of at least 35%. A closer look at the city reveals a capital city plunged into new depths by its deteriorating infrastructure, an ever increasing population and inadequate infrastructure provision by government. FCTA must buckle up to ensure it curbs the menace in Abuja city centre. The continued existence of uncompleted buildings which now serve as haven for criminals must be ended. The minister should swiftly publish names of owners of these uncompleted buildings, as promised, without further delay.
Furthermore, the issue of street lights should be taken seriously as we feel that there is a correlation between darkness and crime. Many of the existing street lights have broken down or started malfunctioning. From Aminu Kano Crescent, Adetokunbo Ademola, Ahmadu Bello Way to Muhammadu Ribadu and the adjourning Shehu Shagari road, which links the Presidential Villa, street lights are not working at many sections of the roads and majority of the traffic lights are in bad state. This often heightens criminal activities and causes commotion among motorists, increasing the chances of road accidents.
The FCT Police Command should swiftly deploy special units to these hot spots which are making life hellish for residents of the city and turning Abuja municipal into a nightmare of sorts. We are deeply concerned with the existence of these dangerous spots and urge that specific mandate be given to security agents to uproot these hoodlums by carrying out a massive operation, patrol and continuous raids on identified spots and other suspected hideouts to rid the federal capital of ruffians and lawbreakers. Abuja deserves better.