Insecurity: Residents set agenda for new FCT CP

FCT residents have articulated a clear agenda for the newly appointed Police Commissioner, Miller Dantawaye, urging immediate action against rising insecurity, particularly kidnapping, one-chance syndicates, and street crimes across the territory. Joseph Yakubu, one of the residents, said many especially those in rural communities, can no longer sleep with their eyes closed. Yakubu urged the […]

FCT residents have articulated a clear agenda for the newly appointed Police Commissioner, Miller Dantawaye, urging immediate action against rising insecurity, particularly kidnapping, one-chance syndicates, and street crimes across the territory.

Joseph Yakubu, one of the residents, said many especially those in rural communities, can no longer sleep with their eyes closed.

Yakubu urged the new Police Commissioner to collaborate with his counterparts in neighboring states to tackle kidnappers who operate in FCT border areas.

He also wants the new CP to pay attention to the most infected area councils such as Bwari, where many villagers can neither visit their farms nor send their children to school due to the problem.

Muhammad Ahmad, a commercial driver, charged the new police commissioner to focus his attention on those he called snatchers, targeting drivers and their passengers along notable routes within the territory.

While describing the way they operate, Muhammad said a gang of youths usually disguise themselves as passengers to board a taxi and upon reaching a lonely location, they ask the driver to stop for an “alignment” (a false reason to drop).

According to him, once the driver complies, the gang snatches every valuable in his possession before running in different directions.

Ahmad pleaded with the police to identify such gangs and take decisive action.

Comfort Ogoda spoke about the need for police commitment, arguing that the police are in a better position than civilians to know the notorious locations maintained by criminal gangs.

She concluded that all the police need is to “develop the interest and commitment to deal with the perpetrators without any compromising.”

Ogoda also alleged that gangs snatch valuables from passersby around popular bus stops within the city center, with some operating close to existing police checkpoints. 

She charged the new Police Commissioner to “declare a state of emergency” against such gangs and develop a new strategy to fight their activities.

Saminu Sani, another resident, stressed the need for a sustained, proactive approach, saying the CP should ensure proper police patrol across the territories 24/7, as is the case in most developed nations.

He emphasized that the issues of one-chance syndicates and robbery gangs should be given utmost priority by the police.