By Joseph Ayomide
Former Nigerian Senator of Kaduna State origin, Senator Shehu Sani, has voiced deep concerns regarding the escalating insecurity in the country, particularly within the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). The ex-senator, who once represented Kaduna Central at the Nigerian Senate, expressed worries that the surge in insecurity cases could potentially deter investors from considering the country as a viable investment destination.
Taking to his official social media platform, Sani shared his worries about the rising insecurity and advised residents of Abuja to glean lessons from the prevalent kidnapping incidents in the nation’s capital. He urged them to take proactive measures to safeguard their neighborhoods.
Sani attributed the worsening security situation in the FCT to a combination of factors, including the deteriorating security conditions in other states, increased migration into the FCT, and the violation of the city’s master plan.
In a tweet, Sani emphasized, “Abuja residents should draw lessons from unfolding events and implement precautionary measures to protect their neighborhoods. The deterioration of security in other states, the influx of people into the FCT, and the disregard for the city’s master plan have all contributed to the surge in criminal activities in Abuja. The implications of insecurity in Abuja extend beyond national borders, affecting our global image. No investor would willingly invest in a country where every head has a price.”
The former Senator’s remarks are coming at a crucial time as the FCT grapples with a notable increase in kidnapping incidents, raising concerns at the national level. Recent reports indicate the abduction of three individuals from an estate behind the Nigerian Army Post-Service Housing Scheme in Kurudu Estate, FCT. Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu, the Director of Army Public Relations, confirmed the incident, which took place around 9:00 p.m. on Thursday.
These incidents add to a series of kidnappings and security challenges in the nation’s capital. It would be recalled that FCT Minister, Mr Nyesom Wike, recently convened a meeting with security agencies and stakeholders to address the alarming trend.
Notably, the district head of Pandan-Gwari in Bwari area council of the FCT, along with five subjects, were kidnapped on December 26. Their whereabouts remain unknown, with the kidnappers demanding a ransom of N50 million. Subsequent incidents occurred in Kawu community, Bwari area council, where the district head’s son and wife were abducted by armed assailants.
The wave of kidnappings continued with the abduction of six young ladies and their father, Mansoor Al-Kadriyar, from their Bwari home on January 9. Despite efforts to secure their release, including crowdsourcing funds online, the kidnappers escalated their ransom demand from N60 million to N100 million. Tragically, one of the daughters, Nabeeha, a 400-level student of Biological Sciences at Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, was killed by the kidnappers when the payment deadline was not met.
According to analysts, these recent incidents underscore the pressing need for enhanced security measures and collaborative efforts to address the escalating challenges posed by kidnapping in the FCT.
