Inside FCT: Armed robbery, car theft on the rise in Abuja

Residents who spoke to Pulse blamed the situation of the economic recession and poor management of the city under the the FCT minister, Muhammed Bello.

Resident of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja have condemned the increasing cases of armed robbery, car theft and kidnapping in the city.

Some residents of the FCT who spoke to Pulse blamed the situation of the current economic recession and poor management of the city under the leadership of the FCT minister, Muhammed Musa Bello.

Matthew Olisa, told our correspondent that his friend was attacked by armed robbers at about 8:30pm along the popular Ademola Adetokunbo way.

“For the first time in the history of Abuja, traffic and street lights are not working, yet there is a minister in this city. It is unfortunate,” Olisa said.

He goes on further…

“My friend was attacked and his car was snatched at Ademola Adetokunbo by 8:30pm - not 12:30am o, I mean 8:30 in the evening - because the street lights aren’t working.

 

“The armed robbers bashed his car and while he was trying to park to ascertain the extent of damage caused, they approached him with guns. Next thing, they collected the car keys and zoomed off.

“If the lights were on, he may have gotten help but as usual, no lights. Nothing works in Abuja anymore – from water to light… Waste management is another thing entirely. It is more like there is no minister in this town,” he said angrily.

Another FCT resident who simply identified himself as Yunusa Abdulkadir blamed the increasing crime rate in the city on the economic recession.

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“These days, people don’t even have food to eat because of the economic recession. Lots of people who have lost their jobs and do not have any means of livelihood often turn to crime. My prayer is that things will change for the better so the economic situation can get better,” Abdulkadir said.

A staff of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), Mohammed Isa who spoke to Pulse assured resident that the minister is doing everything possible to ensure the wellbeing of everyone.

He blamed the slow pace of events in Abuja on bureaucratic bottleneck.

“The FCT minister has done a lot since he assumed office. He recently embarked on the rehabilitation and repairs of roads within the city. Like you know, the minister cannot just begin to do any project on his own. There are processes that he must follow. These things sometimes slow down the running of the city. But I assure you that the minister is trying his best,” Isa said.

Meanwhile, some residents have devised new ways of ensuring the safety of their lives and property.

Again, Olisa shares a few ‘security tips’.

“Since my friend’s car was snatched, I now drive like a mad man at night. No matter who hits me, I don’t stop until I reach my house. I have also resolved to drive with my full lights on while ensuring that my fuel tank is always full.

“I try as much as possible to avoid keeping late nights. If someone can be attacked at 8:30pm, I don’t know what will happen to the person who is on the road by 1am or 2am,” Olisa added.

As the Police will always say, “be security conscious.”

FCT residents must always remember that the primary responsibility of ensuring one’s safety lies with you.

The Police and other security agencies are secondary.

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