**Headline: Escalating Wave of Violence Grips Abuja: Over 200 Attacks and 87 Deaths Undermining FCT Security**
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In a concerning surge of violence, Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has witnessed over 200 violent attacks and 87 fatalities since President Bola Tinubu assumed office on May 29, 2023. These alarming figures, including 176 kidnappings, have been documented across all six area councils of the FCT, as reported by local firm Beacon Consulting and various media outlets.
The situation has worsened since the appointment of FCT Minister Nyesom Wike on August 16, 2023, raising anxieties among residents and authorities. Once considered relatively immune to security challenges, Abuja is now grappling with an escalating wave of criminal activities, particularly kidnappings.
A 2020 report by SB Morgen ranked Abuja 11th among locations with frequent abductions, signaling a shift in the region’s security landscape. Kidnap cases in Abuja have surged over the last three years, reaching a concerning peak between October and December 2023, with 13 recorded incidents impacting 80 victims.
These incidents are widespread across Abuja, including Gwagwalada Kuje, Lugbe, Pegi, Abaji, Keti, and Kwali. What adds to the concern is the apparent lack of challenge by security agencies, enabling criminals to operate with impunity.
The economic toll is significant, with confirmed ransom payments totaling N653.7 million between 2021 and 2022. Residents and businesses in affected areas bear the brunt, impacting daily life and economic activities.
Notable incidents include the recent abduction of seven individuals, including six girls, on January 5, 2024, in the Bwari Area Council. The abduction of a lawyer’s wife and in-law on January 18, 2024, in Kurudu further underscores the gravity of the situation.
In response to the rising incidents, Nigerians have called on the Federal Government and security agencies to find lasting solutions. Inspector-General of Police Olukayode Egbetokun launched the Special Intervention Squad (SIS) in the FCT on Wednesday to curb kidnappings and violent attacks, especially in border towns.
The SIS, composed of specially trained officers, aims to patrol and secure FCT communities, intervene in crises, and address security concerns. The deployment covers crisis-prone areas and exits from the city, emphasizing a comprehensive approach to restore peace and harmony.
Operatives of the SIS have already initiated patrols in Bwari, Kawu, Kubwa, Gwagwalada, and border towns in Niger, Nasarawa, Kaduna, and Kogi states. The squad operates under the command of the Inspector-General of Police, Bennett Igwe, demonstrating a commitment to collaboration beyond borders.
The widespread nature of criminal activities, once confined to rural areas, now affects major cities nationwide. Egbetokun emphasizes that the SIS approach includes rapid intervention and community-oriented policing, aiming to contain security breaches and restore order.
While addressing concerns about the SIS, Adejobi assures that it will not operate like the disbanded Special Anti-Kidnapping Squad and emphasizes that operatives will not engage in escort duties. The deployment of 40,000 SIS operatives, initially trained in Katsina and nine other states, marks a crucial step in addressing the nationwide security challenge.
Egbetokun’s proactive measures and the deployment of the SIS highlight a concerted effort to combat the rising threat of violent crime, providing hope for the restoration of peace in Abuja and other affected areas.
