Addressing Escalating Insecurity: Nigerians Call on FG for Solutions and Unveiling Bandits’ Sponsors
The recent upsurge in banditry activities in the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Abuja, and various parts of Nigeria has created widespread unease among the population. Concerns heighten as the identities of these criminals and their sponsors remain shrouded in mystery.
Former lawmaker Senator Shehu Sani, expressing his concerns on his official X handle, highlighted the potential beneficiaries of the substantial ransoms consistently paid to secure the release of abducted citizens. The puzzle, as he pointed out, lies in the fact that the foot soldiers executing kidnappings often appear destitute despite handling large sums of money.
Sani’s sentiment echoes the allegations made by former federal lawmaker Hon. Sani Muhammad Takori, who asserted that selfish and powerful individuals are sponsoring banditry activities in Zamfara State. The issue gained further traction when Governor Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau State revealed on January 12 that security agents are aware of the financiers of the bandits terrorizing his state.
Despite these claims, the silence from the head of security agencies and the federal government raises questions about the transparency of these assertions. Security expert Mr. Akogwu John emphasized the need for clarity and urged the government to unveil the identities of those sponsoring these criminal activities.
Current Security Landscape in Abuja: Recent reports indicate that non-state actors causing chaos in Abuja and neighboring states are operating from the Kajuru forest in Southern Kaduna. Previously used by the military for training, this forest is now occupied by audacious bandits.
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Abuja, once relatively immune to widespread security challenges, is grappling with an increasing wave of criminal activities, particularly kidnapping. Beacon Consulting, a local security monitoring firm, reports over 200 violent attacks across all six area councils of the FCT since President Bola Tinubu assumed office on May 29, 2023.
The attacks have resulted in at least 87 deaths and 176 kidnappings, with notable incidents in Bwari and Abaji Area Councils. The recent killing of three victims in the Sagwari Layout Estate and the abduction of a businesswoman from the Nigerian Army Post-Housing Estate highlight the severity of the situation.
Calls for Urgent Action: In response to the escalating insecurity, spokesperson of the pan-Yoruba socio-cultural and political organization, Afenifere, Kare Ajayi, urges President Tinubu to initiate soul-searching meetings with stakeholders nationwide. Ajayi emphasizes the need for mutually agreed solutions, suggesting serious sanctions for infractors.
Additionally, Ajayi advocates for a Presidential Order empowering states and local government areas to establish local police services. Meanwhile, the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, reassures residents that the government is committed to addressing the security challenges, promising full support to security agencies.
As Nigerians anxiously await concrete actions, the call for transparency regarding the sponsors of these criminal activities remains a central theme in the quest for lasting solutions to the rising insecurity.
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