Many citizens are taking to self-help to combat the recent spike in kidnapping and killings across the country, especially in the urban centres.

Some residents of the Federal Capital Territory as well as Taraba, Kaduna, Borno, Katsina and Plateau states, who spoke to Sunday PUNCH, said they were making life-changing adjustments, including forming neighbourhood guards and vigilantes, to be able to resist the criminals who had shattered their peace and caused them unprecedented loss.

In the FCT alone, over 200 violent attacks have been recorded across the six area councils since President Bola Tinubu assumed office on May 29, 2023.

The Incidents led to the death of no fewer than 87 residents of the FCT, while over 176 were kidnapped within the period.

The figures, which were sourced from Beacon Consulting, a local firm monitoring security issues in the country, and several media reports on violent attacks, showed a dramatic spike in kidnapping for ransom in the FCT and other city centres.

Since the assumption of office of the Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike, on August 16, 2023, there has been a rise in violent attacks in the nation’s capital.

The FCT Is facing an alarming surge in insecurity, prompting concerns among residents and the authorities. The capital city, once considered relatively immune to the prevalent security challenges in other parts of the country, is now grappling with an escalating wave of criminal activities, particularly kidnapping.

According to a 2020 report by SB Morgen, Abuja was ranked 11^th among locations with frequent abductions, a stark revelation of the evolving security landscape in the region.

Data from January 2021 to June 2023 showed that the FCT recorded over 40 kidnap cases with over 236 victims, who were either released after ransom was paid or killed even after payment.

Between October and December 2023 alone, there were 13 recorded kidnap incidents, impacting 80 victims.

From Gwagwalada to Kuje, Lugbe, Pegi, Abaji, Keti, and Kwali, the daredevils operate with naked boldness.

Vigilantes to the rescue

A resident of Kuje, who gave his name only as Michael, noted that while the area had seen relative peace in the last couple of months, residents were taking no chances.

He stated, “There haven’t been any attacks recently in Kuje but it doesn’t mean we will just relax and wait for that to happen. We are taking our safety into our own hands and doing the best we can to protect ourselves from this epidemic.

“We have employed local vigilantes to protect the area every night. And with this new police squad inaugurated by the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetoku, I’m sure we will be safer.”

A resident of Kpegyi, Mr Salisu, called for the sustenance of the police squad, noting that while kidnapping was on the rise, other crimes were thriving.

“I’ve lived in Kpegyi now for almost a decade. Kidnapping is the more popular vice, but armed robberies have gone on unchecked. We still have robberies, car thefts and what have you. I like that the security agencies have been gingered, but I hope and pray it’s not just a show that will last one month and it goes back to normal,” he said.

However, Mallam Ahmed Yinusa, who lives in Kubwa, said the show of force by the special squad was unnecessary, adding that community policing was the best model to combat crimes as it would be easier for residents of an area to identify strangers.

“I think the display was unnecessary. These bandits move in silence, why can’t the police? There’s no need to announce what you will do. You just go ahead and do it. However, I still think community policing is the best idea. That way, it is community-centred, and we can identify anyone who isn’t one of us,” Yinusa said.

Speaking on strategies for safety, some residents said their communities had erected gates to control movement, especially at night, while others had taken up personal security measures.

“In my area, we erected gates since 2022. Motorcycles are not allowed after 7pm. Cars do not access the area after 9pm. We may have to review that with these developments, but it is better safe than sorry,” a resident of Karu, who gave his name simply as Adams, told Sunday PUNCH.

A corps member, who gave her name as only Favour, said she no longer goes out after 8pm for any reason.

“I just make sure I’m home before 8pm. Of course, these people attacked a compound at 7.30pm, but I think I will feel safer in a familiar environment than somewhere else. I might also consider keeping maybe pepper spray or a taser around,” she said.

A resident of the Area 1, Mrs Justina Okeke, said, “We are raising fences in my estate. We might add barbed wire or electric fences. For my kids, maybe they will start taking self-defence classes. We can’t take any chances. I cannot even imagine what parents of kidnapped children are going through.”

Roadblocks in Kaduna

Youths in Kaduna State have resorted to mounting roadblocks in their communities following the renewed insecurity in the state, Sunday PUNCH reports.

Checks by one of our correspondents in the state capital indicated that youths in areas like Sabon Tashi in the Chikun Local Government Area of the state had resorted to blocking the roads at night with used tyres as a way of defending the communities from the daredevils.

Governor Uba Sani had on several occasions expressed concern over the renewed activities of bandits in the state, forcing him to summon traditional rulers and heads of security agencies as well as other major stakeholders to a security meeting in the state to find ways to tackle the renewed insecurity.

At the meeting, the governor disclosed that as part of efforts to tackle the renewed insecurity in the state, he had pushed for the establishment of more military formations across the state.

He said, “I have been pursuing the deployment of more boots on the ground through more military formations. I am happy to inform you that very soon, there will be establishment of some Forward Operating Bases in the state.

“The Kaduna State Government is working with the Defence Headquarters towards actualizing these plans.”

The governor also directed the Overseeing Commissioner of Internal Security and Home Affairs “to follow this process closely and provide me with regular reports on the establishment of the FOBs and other relevant issues which we are vigorously pursuing.”

This was apart from the training of no fewer than 7,000 members of the State Vigilance Service to complement the efforts of the regular security agencies in the state.

One of our correspondents, who went around, observed the youths, some of them bearing dane guns, catapults, machetes, and barricaded link roads with stones, while conducting stop-and-search operations of motorists entering their communities.

Some of the youth were paid through community efforts, while in some cases by tips offered by appreciative residents.

One of the leaders at the Ungwan-Pama area, simply identified as Ifeanyi, told our correspondent that each compound was charged a token as a security levy to boost the morale of the vigilantes.

At the Post Office Road junction in the Sabon-Tasha area of the state, some of the fierce-looking youths told Sunday PUNCH that they were rendering voluntary services as a way of “defending our community.”

At the Barnawa GRA area, it was observed that residents of the low-cost estate built during FESTAC ’77 had built gates as a way of preventing intruders into the estate.

One of the guards manning a gate leading to the estate, said, “By 9pm, the gates are shut to visitors.”

Some areas are also manned by members of the Peace Corps. An official, who gave his name as Akpati, told one of our correspondents that the members were posted to the homes of prominent citizens in the state to secure their lives.

The State Commissioner of Police, A. D. Ali, called on members of the public to avail themselves of security agencies’ hotlines for any situation requiring prompt response.

Vigilantes in Taraba

Communities in the Yorro, Jalingo, Takum, Karim-Lamido, and Bali local government areas of Taraba State have engaged the services of local vigilantes and hunters for protection against kidnappers and bandits.

This move to complement the efforts of security personnel followed an upsurge in the kidnapping and banditry activities in the affected areas.

In Jalingo, the state capital, no fewer than 10 persons were abducted in the past few days after weeks, forcing residents to re-enforce the local security arrangements.

Mallam Nasir Mohammed, a resident of Wuro Sembe in Jalingo Local Government said, “We have contributed money and we are paying vigilantes to keep watch over our community.

“Just last week, over 10 persons were kidnapped from our community and the neighbouring Sabon-Gari. We cannot continue like this. Instead of contributing money to pay ransom, we have decided to contribute to pay vigilantes to keep watch over our community.”

The situation in Wuro Sembe is similar to that of Gollum, Lassandi, Mayo-Dassa, and Shavon, where residents said the police and other security agencies could not be solely relied upon for protection.

Mr Zaku Adamu, a resident of Shavon, told one of our correspondents that many communities in Jalingo and its environs were threatened by bandits, and it would take the combined efforts of the Air Force, the Army, the police, and local vigilantes to deal with the situation.

“We are playing with a serious security situation and the state government must take proactive steps to deal with the situation, or else our communities will be overrun one day,” he said.

Meanwhile, worried by the deteriorating security situation and abduction of some pastors, the Southern Conference of the United Methodist Church has vowed to resort to self-defence if both the federal and Taraba State governments fail to ensure the immediate release of their members from kidnappers’ den and end banditry activities in the state.

The conference also alleged that the banditry activities, particularly in the Yorro Local Government Council, were being targeted at eradicating Christians in the area.

They insisted that both traditional rulers and political office holders, past and present, in the area should come out with clear proof that their hands were clean to counter the video in circulation where the key leader of the kidnapper alleged that they had the backing of some leaders and the people in the area.

President of the TEKAN/ECWA, Rev Micah Dopa, who addressed a press conference recently, lamented the continued detention of their pastors and members of the Yorro community by kidnappers for almost one month after ransom was paid.

According to Dopa, the church had paid N11m in ransom for its abducted pastors, but the kidnappers decided to release only the Muslim victims.

Taraba NSCDSC reacts

Reacting to the security situation, the Taraba State Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Adamu Salihu, said the NSCDC and other sister agencies were on top of the situation.

Salihu said, “Recently, we arrested six persons suspected to be members of terror gangs operating in Jalingo, the Taraba State capital, and Mutum Biyu in the Gassol Local Government Area of the state after a long period of intense investigation and diligent intelligence gathering.

“I want to urge the public to stay awake and always report suspicious actions or persons to men of the corps for quick response as the criminals are often among the public and are known for who they are.

“Let me also advise our young people to shun the life of criminality and embrace legal means of making ends meet as the end is always disastrous for criminals.”

When contacted, the Taraba State Commissioner of Police, Joseph Eribo, said the command had already mapped out strategies to flush out bandits in the state.

Nasarawa residents lament

Residents of Nasarawa State have lamented the neglect of the Federal government and the Nasarawa State Government on the numerous challenges of insecurity in the state.

Ondo Amotekun

The Ondo State Security Network Agency, also known as Amotekun Corps, said it had put in place necessary measures to prevent a possible influx of criminals and terrorists into the state.

The state Commander of the Amotekun Corps, Akogun Adetunji Adeleye, said the government was on top of the situation in terms of security of lives and property of residents.

Adeleye said, “Our men and officers, the police, the NSCDC, the DSS and other security agents are working together in ensuring that the safety of lives and property in Ondo State is not compromised. We fortify our borders and our patrol team is always on the road to prevent the criminal elements from coming in. No room for terrorists in this state.

“Many have been arrested and will be prosecuted. In the same way, we have apprehended those who were involved in the illegal possession of firearms on our watch list.

“But all of these people will be profiled and will be arraigned in court any moment from now. All these suspects will be thoroughly investigated and they will be brought to justice.”

Kidnapping continues

Daredevil kidnappers operated with ease in Ondo, Enugu and Oyo states and the FCT on Saturday, abducting several people in the process.

A resident of the FCT, Abdullahi Sabo, was said to have been abducted as he drove home with his wife.

The gunmen, Sunday PUNCH gathered, intercepted his vehicle at the Sabon-Lugbe area of the Airport Road and whisked him away.

The victim was said to be driving a Lexus SUV with the number plate ABC 769 TP when the incident occurred.

Eyewitnesses said the victim left the city centre and was heading home when the attackers in an unmarked Golf car opened fire and deflated his vehicle tyres and made away with the man.

Although the FCT Police Public Relations Officer, Josephine Adeh, said she would investigate and get back to one of our correspondents, she had yet to do so as of the time of filing this report.

Two in Oyo

In Oyo State, gunmen, in the early hours of Saturday, kidnapped two people in Out, Itesiwaju Local Government Area of the state.

The victims, Sunday PUNCH learnt, are one Mr Dayo Olayanju and the wife of one Mr Kehinde Obasola.

Obasola was said to have escaped with gunshot wounds, while his wife was whisked away by the gunmen.

A community leader in the area, who requested not to be named, confirmed the incident.

“It is true. It happened around 2 am today (Saturday). They were kidnapped in different areas. One was kidnapped along Okeho Road. I have confirmed it. The two people kidnapped are Dayo Olayanju and the wife of Kehinde Obasola. Kehinde Obasola escaped with gunshot wounds, but his wife was kidnapped,” he stated.

Efforts to confirm the development from the state Police Public Relations Officer, Adewale Osifeso, and the Oyo State Amotekun Commandant, Colonel Bisiriyu Olayanju (retd.), were unsuccessful.

But the Public Relations Officer of NSCDC in the state, Samuel Opabiyi, confirmed the incident in a telephone interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Ibadan on Saturday.

“Yes, it is true, but the police have taken over the investigation because it falls under their purview,” Opabiyi said.

Passengers in Ondo

Gunmen also struck on the Akure-Ado Ekiti Expressway, abducting some passengers in two vehicles in the Iju area of the Akure North Local Government Area of the state.

The number of the victims could not be ascertained and details of the incident were still sketchy as of the time of filing this report, but it was gathered that the incident happened on Thursday night.

The vehicles involved were said to have been parked along the road.

In a now-viral video, a Toyota Corolla and a Toyota Highlander, which were riddled with bullets, were seen, indicating that the hoodlums shot at the vehicles before taking the passengers into the forest.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, Funmi Odunlami, confirmed the incident but said the command could not give details as it had not been reported to the police by the victims’ families.

She said, “Men of the anti-kidnapping section of the command swung into action immediately after the incident was reported and they have been combing the forest since.

“There is no official report from the family or families of the owners of the two vehicles, and there are no reports of missing people in the state.”

Kaduna school principal

Bandits have killed a school principal, Idris Abu Sufyan, and abducted his wife and baby at Kuriga village along the Kaduna-Birnin Gwari highway in Kaduna.

The bandits stormed the village on Thursday night, shot the principal dead and took his wife and son away to an unknown destination.

One of the late principal’s friends, Sabiu Gayam, on his Facebook page, announced the friend’s demise, saying that he was attacked by hoodlums.

The post read, “To Allah we belong and to Him, we shall return!!!

“I just received the news of the death of Mal. Idris Abu Sufyan Kuriga who was killed by thieves yesterday night; (they also) took his only wife. Malam Idris was the principal of Government Secondary School, KURIGA was my secondary teacher and my colleague at Government Junior Secondary School, GAYAM before he became the principal in Kuriga.

Also, in Kaduna, at least 10 children were injured after an explosion rocked Kidandan village, Giwa Local Government Area of the state on Saturday.

The children were said to be playing with an object they discovered in a nearby bush when it exploded.

The village head, Alhaji Abubakar Ruka, who confirmed the incident, said the children were rushed to the Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital and Shika Hospital in Zaria for treatment.

When contacted, the command’s Police Public Relations Officer, Mansir Hassan, confirmed the two incidents to Sunday PUNCH on Saturday.

He stated, “Yes, the children actually picked an object at a nearby bush. In the process of playing with the object, it exploded on them.

“We have sent our Explosive Ordinance Disposal unit squad to the scene of the incident to ascertain the situation, but nine people were injured.

“On the killing of the school principal and the abduction of his wife and son, security operatives were on top of the situation.

“Security agencies and not only the police are trying their best on how they can rescue the abducted wife and her son and apprehend the culprits.”

Seven Enugu abductees

Some wedding guests kidnapped in the Nkpunato Nkpologu, Uzo-Uwani Local Government Area of Enugu State have slammed the Enugu State Police Command for claiming that they were not abducted by gunmen.

One of the victims, who identified himself as Ikenna Diugwu, said on Saturday that his family paid N2m to his captors to secure the release of seven of the abductees.

Narrating the incident, Diugwu explained that they were on a bus going to a traditional wedding ceremony at the Udi Local Government Area of the state on December 27, 2023, when their vehicle was attacked by gunmen and they were kidnapped.

Stating that they spent three days in the bush before the kidnappers released them, he said it was sad that the police did not attempt to rescue them.

The Enugu State Commissioner of Police, Kanayo Uzuegbu, had in a statement issued on Tuesday, January 16, 2024, through the command’s spokesperson, Daniel Ndukwe, denied that some wedding guests were abducted in Uzo-Uwani Local Government Area of the state.

Efforts to get Ndukwe to react to the matter proved abortive, as he did not take his calls or respond to the text message sent to his mobile.

Also in Enugu, operatives of the Enugu State Police Command have arrested three persons for alleged involvement in criminal activities, including kidnapping.

Ndukwe said the operatives acted on credible information provided by the ECDTA.

He said the operatives serving in Enugu Area Command raided a criminal hideout in the Centenary City area of Obeagu-Awkunanaw community in the Enugu South Local Government Area on Friday.

Abuja kidnapper paraded

Meanwhile, the Nigeria Police Force on Saturday paraded a notorious kidnapper, Chinaza Philip-Okoye, on a stretcher at the Force Intelligence Response Team base, Guzape, Federal Capital Territory.

It was gathered that the suspect sustained serious injuries after he was shot by police officers following the interception of his gang at a filling station on Thursday night. (Sunday PUNCH)

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