Abuja: A capital city under siege of bandits as residents live in perpetual fear

… disturbing signals from Abuja, Kwara, Niger, Lagos

The major reason for relocating the Capital of Nigeria from Lagos to Abuja has been defeated from all fronts as the seat of power is seriously under the threat of bandits.

The reason given was simply Lagos was prune to external invasion from the sea while Abuja that’s surrounded by rocks is far safer.

Another excuse is the fact that Lagos was a border town and that it was not safe for a border town to house a capital city.

Federal Capital Territory is surrounded by so many rocks making it impenetrable by invaders even Nigeria’s Presidential Palace is said to be inside Aso Rock making it an impossibility for any bandit or terrorist to dare invade.

But events that has unfolded in the last two weeks point to one singular fact that despite the rocky nature of the seat of power, external aggressors could throw stones from afar and still cause panic as all residents of the capital city no longer sleep with both eyes closed.

In this news analysis, TheNewsGuru.com, (TNG) will take a look at the turbulence insecurity has caused in different parts of the country particularly the city warehousing the seat of government.

The first terrible security alert that made residents to start thinking twice whether to remain in Abuja or quickly relocate was when Captain Samuel Attah and his troops were ambushed and neutralised by bandits in Bwari barely two weeks ago.

The agonising part of it all was that they were members of the Presidential elite force known for bravery.

As if that was not enough, another attack took place close to the mythical Zuma Rock and those gallant soldiers too at the military checkpoint were members of the same presidential elite force.

This two developments in the past two weeks has made the capital city surrounded by rocks not too safe as both incidents took place less than 100km from Abuja township. Bwari Area Council is in the periphery of Abuja and Zuma Rock can be sighted from afar from most outskirt satellite towns of Abuja such as Zuba, Dede, Kaigini, Kubwa and Bwari where the first attack took place.

The only cheering news from the capital city is the fact that the police announced that there is security beef up in all the surrounding states to Abuja.

The FCT police boss, Commissioner of Police, Sunday Babaji, had explained that with the move, security operatives in the neighboring states and the FCT would take the attack to the enclaves of the terrorists terrorizing their territories.

The neighboring states are Niger, Nasarawa, Kaduna, Kogi, Benue, and Plateau.

Babaji believed that the action would help to adequately secure the FCT.

He was quoted to have declared this in a statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the FCT, Anthony Ogunleye, late Thursday.

The statement partly read, “In order to enhance the provision of security in the nation’s capital, the FCT Administration has taken steps to re-invigorate the G7 security operations which involves security collaboration and partnerships with states that are contiguous to the Federal Capital Territory.

According to the FCT CP, the re-invigoration of the G7 security operations will see the commencement of security actions and procedures by members of the G7, which will involve taking the fight to the bandits and terrorists in their camps which are mostly located in states bordering the FCT.

“The Police Commissioner, however, called for the collaboration and cooperation of residents of the FCT whom he urged to provide actionable and timely intelligence to the security agencies while also calling them to be security conscious at all times.”

He also assured residents of their safety and urged them to go about their lawful activities.

Babaji added, “I’m also assuring them that the FCT is safe. Every member of the community should go about their lawful businesses.

“We are on top of the situation. We have deployed our men both overt and covert and we are doing everything possible in synergy with all the security agencies, with the support of our traditional rulers and religious leaders to make sure that FCT is safe,” he assured.

The Senior Special Assistant on Security to the Minister, Ambassador Abu Mohammed, while corroborating the CP, revealed the readiness of the heads of security agencies in the neighboring states to participate actively in the G7 operations.

He also called on residents to be wary of fake news, especially on social media which is designed to cause panic amongst the citizenry.

Kwara:
Signals from Kwara not too good as the police alleged that bandits are are already occupying strategic areas of the state.

Read full memo from the state:

The Deputy Inspector General of Police,
The Nigeria Police,
Force Intelligence Bureau (FIB),
Area 10, Garki,
Abuja.

The Commissioner of Police,
Dept. of Finance and Admin.,
The Nigeria Police,
State Headquarters,
Ilorin.

INTELLIGENCE REPORT ON THE MOVEMENT OF BANDITS.
The Bureau is in receipt of information on the movement of some Bandits/Kidnappers numbering about 112 who will be travelling in two each on motorcycles while their arms and ammunitions will be conveyed by a truck loaded with food items in disguise.
Source further reveals that, the route they will ply include but not limited to Kebbi State via Kanba, Malavi to Benin republic. The movement is scheduled to commence on 1st and 2nd of August, 2022 at about 2300hrs.
It is pertinent to note that, they already have a Base in Kainji Lake National Park which shares boundary with about four States i.e. Kebbi State, Niger State, Kwara State and Oyo State respectively.

They have concluded plans to use Kwara State National Park Forest Reserve as their major Base and part of Kisi and Igbeti in Oyo State as they already have some underground hideouts in Naanu by Rafin Kunama reserve area, Kwara State.
2. In another development, a reliable source sighted two suspected bandits on a motorcycle carrying RPG machine guns with round chains in Kagondabi village via Moro L.G.A Kwara State. Kagondabi village is the last locality under Ejidongari Ward, and it can be accessed through Gaa-Dasu via Sabongada in Bode-Saadu, Moro L.G.A. Kwara State.
3. Intel also has it that, Yikpata NYSC Camp located in Edu L.G.A Kwara is very porous and prone to attack anytime from now as Bandits are said to be hibernating in the forest surrounding the camp.
4. PROJECTION: From the foregoing, it’s obvious that Kwara is very vulnerable at the moment and may be contending with bandits’ attacks anytime soon.
5. SUGGESTION: Against this backdrop, there is need for the command to as a matter of urgency liaise with the State Government and activate proactive measures to neutralize this threat.
ii. Acpols, Dpos and Hods in the state be abreast of this development and be directed to fortify their respective AOR to avert any unforeseen circumstances.
6. Meanwhile, the Bureau will sustain monitoring and render prompt reports.
Above for your necessary action, please.

ELECTRONIC SIGNED
CSP YUSUF ABDULRAHEEM,
OFFICER IN-CHARGE, SIB,
KWARA STATE COMMAND,
ILORIN.

Niger:

As for Niger State that has been the footstool of bandits after Kaduna and Katsina.

It’s alleged that a 24hour curfew has been imposed and no movement in areas considered red spots.

Lagos:

The police in the former capital city have been put on red alert over fear of an impending invasion by bandits.

The Lagos Police Command said it has placed the State Intelligence Bureau (SIB) on high alert following threats by terrorists to attack some states in Nigeria including Lagos.

According to the state Commissioner of Police, Abiodun Alabi, the command is working closely with sister security agencies to ensure that no person or group of persons succeeds in destabilising the peace and serenity enjoyed by the good people of Lagos State.

In a statement signed by the Command Spokesperson on Sunday, Benjamin Hundeyin said Abiodun Alabi allayed the fears of Lagosians “that all human, material, and operational resources have been fully and optimally deployed across the length and breadth of the state, especially at border towns, towards ensuring there is absolutely no breach of the peace.

Alabi noted that consequent to the carefully laid down security plans and strategies, all residents of Lagos State are urged to go about their lawful duties without panic or fear.

He also enjoined residents to “remain very vigilant and report suspicious movements and persons to security agencies.”

“The Command is not unmindful of intelligence reports suggesting that Lagos State could be on the radar of some persons planning attacks across the country.

“To this end, CP Abiodun Alabi, has placed the State Intelligence Bureau (SIB) of the Command on high alert alongside all Area Commanders, Divisional Police Officers, and Tactical Commanders, all in a bid to ensure that any possible planned attack is promptly and decisively nipped in the bud,” the statement said in part.

Civil Defence alert:

Also last week, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) placed all its state commands on alert following intelligence reports that elements of the Boko Haram Terrorists as well as those of Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) have heightened plots to attack the nation’s capital, Abuja and five other states including Lagos.

In the leaked memo dated July 25 and signed by the Deputy Commandant General DCG Operations, Dauda Danladi Mungadi which was addressed to all state commands of the NSCDC, the Corps said two separate bandit groups have also concluded plans to attack Abuja and others.

The security alerts started raining inan alarming rate after the July 5th attack of the Kuje Correctional facility when terrorists stormed the facility and rescued their members.

There are so many questions begging for answers as to how the guards that were stationed in the Kuje vicinity were removed 24hours the invasion.

The recent attacks in Zuma and Bwari equally have a semblance of soldiers being removed from their duty posts 24hours before the attacks of the bandits or better still the terrorists

The deputy speaker of the House of Representatives Idris Wase had claimed that there were 44 reports on looming attack of the Kuje Correctional facility but nothing was done.