Abuja not under bandit threat, security operatives working – Wike

The Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory Administration, has rejected reports suggesting that banditry is becoming frequent in Abuja, maintaining that the nation’s capital remains relatively safe and that security agencies are actively addressing criminal activities.

Wike made the remarks on Monday while inspecting ongoing infrastructure projects across the federal capital.

“I have always said, we only hear one incident but nobody has said, we have been able to curb or reduce this. There is nowhere in this world, be it any developed country, where you will see there is no form of crime.”

Although he admitted that isolated criminal cases occur, the minister stressed that claims of widespread banditry in the city are overstated.

He stated, “I don’t believe there is banditry in Abuja. But again, it is a city where people want to go and do all kinds of things, kidnapping, this and that.

“So, it will be difficult for anybody to say that in a city that you don’t have one form of crime or another. So, there is no recurrence of banditry. There is no banditry in Abuja. I know that last time some people were kidnapped in Bwari but they were all rescued.”

The FCT minister commended the commitment of security operatives and urged the public to acknowledge their efforts in combating crime.

“What’s important is what measures, how serious the security agencies take this. As far as I am concerned, they are really taking their work very seriously. And we need to give them the necessary support.

“We do not need to always advertise one crime when they have stopped about 50 crimes. And nobody has come out to commend the security agencies, to commend the administration for being able to reduce the crime.

“I think we should commend the security agencies, and they will continue to improve,” he said.

His comments come amid growing concerns among residents of satellite communities in the FCT, including Kungaboku and Paze, where locals have reported incidents of insecurity and alleged threats from bandits.

Some residents reportedly abandoned their homes after receiving warnings from suspected criminals who threatened to attack the communities.

The threats followed several kidnapping incidents and attacks in nearby areas. Security forces, including troops of the Nigerian Army’s 7 Guards Battalion under the Guards Brigade, working alongside the police and local vigilantes, recently rescued 19 victims from abductors.

Community leaders have reassured residents that security operations are ongoing, while urging them to remain vigilant and cooperate with authorities.

Despite these assurances, tension persists in the affected communities, with some houses deserted as residents keep a close watch on developments.