The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) is undergoing a massive transformation under the leadership of Minister Nyesom Wike, with many abandoned projects being revived and new ones being initiated, completed, and commissioned. New districts are springing up across Abuja, equipped with roads, water, electricity, schools, and hospitals. However, while these infrastructural developments are welcomed, many residents are more concerned about their safety.
In the early hours of Monday, residents of Grow Homes Estate in the Chikakore area of Kubwa were thrown into panic when heavily armed kidnappers invaded the estate and abducted two people. One of the victims, Chinyere Joe, was later rescued after a gun battle between the police and the kidnappers. The incident, which happened between midnight and 1:30 a.m., left residents traumatised.
“The police arrived around 1 a.m., and there was serious gunfire for almost 30 minutes,” one resident said. “We are begging the government to fix the roads so police patrols can reach us quickly. We also need a police station in this area.”
FCT Police spokesperson, Josephine Adeh, confirmed the incident and said the rescue of Chinyere Joe was made possible by the police’s quick response and fierce exchange with the kidnappers. She added that efforts were ongoing to rescue the second victim. “The Anti-Kidnapping Unit is working with the army and other security agencies to track down the suspects and ensure the victim returns safely,” she said.
This attack came just days after another estate, Efab Global Estate in the Idu Industrial Area, was similarly targeted. The repeated incidents are making many Abuja residents feel unsafe despite the government’s promises.
Another resident, Danlami Mustapha, narrated how he was robbed by a ‘one-chance’ gang near Area 11 after work. “I got into a taxi, and the man in front suddenly shouted that I slammed the door on his hand. While I was distracted, they stole my phone and wallet,” he said.
Such criminal gangs operate mostly in the city’s suburbs, targeting unsuspecting commuters. They use fake taxis and other deceptive tactics to rob people. Areas like Kurudu have been identified as hotspots where criminals gather to take hard drugs before committing crimes.
Many residents have expressed disappointment with the current state of security. Though they acknowledge the new roads, buildings, and other infrastructure, they argue that none of these developments matter if people are not safe in their homes or on the roads.
Onyebuchi Austin, a commercial driver, said the police presence disappears from the city center by 2:30 a.m. “That’s when criminals take over,” he said. “The city center is protected, but the suburbs where most people live are left exposed.”
He added that many police officers are being used to guard private companies and NGOs instead of patrolling dangerous areas. “If you go to some police stations during emergencies, you won’t find officers. They are all on private assignments,” he said.
Austin advised the government to recruit more officers and send them to high-risk areas. “We used to have officers who worked based on intelligence. Now it’s like the police only react after something bad has happened,” he said.
Security experts have also raised concerns. Kabir Adamu, who heads Beacon Security and Intelligence Limited, said Abuja is now facing the same chaos seen in other insecure parts of Nigeria. Quoting the National Bureau of Statistics’ 2024 Crime Experience and Security Perception Survey, Adamu said kidnappings, estate invasions, and urban scams are becoming common in Abuja.
He urged the federal government to reform security operations in the FCT and give the Minister of FCT the same command powers as a state governor. “Without these changes, the suburbs will remain vulnerable,” he warned.
Another expert, Chidi Omeje, described Abuja as one of the scariest cities in the world today. He said areas like Bwari, Kubwa, Lugbe, Nyanya, Kuje, and Appleside are now unsafe, and nightlife in these areas is disappearing.
“Abuja should be much more fortified, but it’s not. People no longer feel safe to go out,” Omeje said. He urged Minister Wike to pay more attention to security. “We need better coordination between security agencies, more patrol vehicles, and improved communication tools. Infrastructure is good, but safety is more important,” he added.
Omeje also called for investment in human capital and public safety, stressing that if both infrastructure and security are developed together, crime will reduce significantly. He said places like Lugbe, Kubwa, and Kuje have been neglected for too long, and that this must change.
While many residents appreciate the government’s efforts in transforming Abuja with new projects and modern infrastructure, they insist that safety should not be sacrificed. For them, a good road or school means nothing if people cannot use them without fear.
