Recently, the Police Command in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) said it arrested 40 suspects following an alleged robbery incident around Unity Fountain in the heart of the nation’s capital.
Before the arrests, there had been several viral videos on social media alleging various street crimes in major parts of the city, including the Unity Fountain area, Millennium Park, Banex Junction, and other areas.
In a statement issued by the command’s spokesperson, Josephine Adeh, personnel of the command conducted coordinated raids across identified black spots, leading to the arrest of 70 suspects.
“Following preliminary screening and due process, 30 of the suspects were screened and released, while 40 suspects were retained in custody for further investigation,” she said.
This response by the police, commendable as it is, confirms an indication of the surge in street crimes in Abuja, Nigeria’s seat of power.
The city and its satellite towns stand at a critical juncture, grappling with an alarming rise in criminal activities that have cast a shadow over its once-enviable reputation as a peaceful and secure city.
In a city that symbolises Nigeria’s power and governance, residents say it is disheartening to witness this recent rise in crime rates.
Accounts shared on social media paint a grim picture of growing insecurity, with residents living in constant fear as street crimes manifest in ‘one-chance’ robberies, burglary, phone snatching, carjacking and so on.
One X user, Abba Jidda, narrated how his brother was attacked in the Wuse II area of the city, near the junction before the popular Wuse Market.
“He was simply walking along the roadside looking for a ride when some boys ambushed him, stabbed him and robbed him of his phone and other valuables,” he posted.
In a viral video, an Abuja-based educator also narrated how he was robbed by individuals posing as beggars outside the Millennium Park.
The educator noted that the attackers stabbed a civilian bystander who tried to chase them.
In a separate social media report, a lawyer stated that she had parked her automobile adjacent to the BUA building while attending a meeting at the NBA secretariat.
She said, after the meeting, she asked a colleague to walk her to where she had parked, but on getting there, her car’s key knob had been tampered with.
“They had succeeded in opening the car. The only thing that saved me was this funny iron locks a friend introduced to me,” she lamented.
These escalating crime rates are also being recorded in Abuja’s suburbs and satellite towns.
For instance, a lady called Peace narrated how her phone was snatched along Nyanya-Karshi road, between AA Rano filling station and the Chinese school in the Nyanya axis.
“I was returning from work around 10:30 pm when this tricycle just stopped in front of me. They were two; the rider and another person.
“The other one brandished a knife and snatched my handbag. They took my phone and the cash in the bag then threw the bag out as they rode off.
“The irony of it is that there is a police area commander’s office just right between Rano and the Chinese school,” she narrated.
Records show that, in spite of the increase in street crimes, central districts still maintain tighter security, while satellite communities experience higher rates of burglaries, street muggings and petty theft.
Some residents pin this troubling surge down to rapid urbanisation, economic hardship and population growth, which have fuelled street-level crimes across municipal districts and surrounding satellite towns.
Michael Adah, a resident of Abuja for over 25 years, said whether in satellite communities or in the city centre, there had been a general rise in crime rate in the FCT.
“In those days, we knew where not to be from 11:00pm or where to exercise caution and security consciousness.
“Berger Roundabout, Airport Road (as if going to the judicial institute, Area 1, Bolingo, and so on, were known black spots. In the satellite communities, residents knew where were dangerous.
“The fact is that, these days, almost everywhere is dangerous – City Gate/stadium road, Maitama, Asokoro; everywhere has become a blackspot,” he said.
The police said targeted clearance operations across FCT blackspots have yielded more than 1,600 arrests linked to drug-related offences, illegal arms possession, and street syndicates.
The Police Command in FCT also said its operations, such as the one reported earlier, routinely intercepted organised theft rings, recently recovering dozens of stolen vehicles in concentrated monthly swoops.
However, to better combat this escalating crisis, residents say more needs to be done.
“A comprehensive approach is urgently required. Increasing law enforcement presence, improving their training and encouraging community policing initiatives can help build trust between the police and the public.
“Educating the public about common criminal tactics can also empower residents to protect themselves.
“Public campaigns and workshops can be organised to raise awareness and share safety tips.
“While I acknowledge that the police have their operational challenges, the rise in the security crisis in the FCT is undeniable and demands immediate and sustained attention.
“If it doesn’t feel safe to live and work in Abuja, the seat of power, how unsafe can residents of other places feel?” Adah asked.
Others call for strategic placement of surveillance cameras and improved street lighting, saying these measures can act as deterrents to criminals and aid in their identification and capture.
“The police established specialised law enforcement units such as the RRS to respond swiftly to crime reports.
“This is essential in apprehending criminals before they evade capture,” Peace said.
Another important step is the collaboration with community leaders and organisations to help identify local concerns and tailor security measures to specific neighbourhoods.
To be effective, observers say the FCT community policing unit must strengthen three core areas.
These include building mutual trust through joint community partnerships, prioritising proactive problem-solving to stop crime at its roots, and executing an organisational shift that values local engagement over strict hierarchical enforcement. (NANFeatures)