In recent weeks, Abuja, the nations federal capital, has witnessed a surge in terrorist activities, which according to stakeholders, is seriously undermining President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
With bold abductions and killings, the terrorists, spreading from North-East, North-West, and North-Central geo-political zones, are creating fear nationwide.
An Analyst, Bulama Bukarti, recently highlighted Abuja’s alarming situation, citing over 200 deaths or abductions in the last three months.
The terrorists, driven by financial gains, exploit ransom funds to acquire more weapons, posing a significant threat.
Recent high-profile incidents include the abduction of residents, attacks on military posts, and a Christmas Eve massacre in Plateau State. Despite Tinubu’s efforts, insecurity persists, with over 9,754 casualties and 4,049 abductions reported in 2023.
The current state of insecurity in Nigeria is unacceptable. Innocent lives are lost, families displaced, and the trauma is immeasurable, remarked a Catholic priest and public affairs commentator, Ugochukwu Ugwoke. Its time to demand change, accountability, and tangible solutions from those, who swore to protect our lives and property, he stated.
In response to the rising incidents of insecurity and Abuja, the Police, over the course of last week, said it arrested a number of suspects.
Facing criticism, President Tinubu had last Tuesday met with Security Chiefs and other Heads of security agencies at the State House, Abuja.
Those at the meeting were the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa; Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-General Taoreed Lagbaja; Chief of Naval Staff, Vice-Admiral Emmanuel Ogala; Chief of Air Staff, Air-Marshal Hassan Abubakar; the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, and Heads of some other security outfits.
The meeting came few hours after the minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike, convened his own security appraisal meeting over the brutal actions unleashed on residents of the capital territory kidnappers.
After the meeting, the Minister, last Wednesday embarked on confidence-building visits to Area Councils in the Territory, declaring that security agencies would henceforth make it hot for bandits.
Also, on Wednesday, the IGP, Kayode Egbetokun officially launched a special squad in response to the escalating insecurity in the nations capital.
The Special Squad, according to the Forces Public Relations Officer, Prince Olumuyiwa Adejobi, would be officially launched in the 36 States of the Federation. It was flagged-off in Plateau State on 29th Dec, 2023, when the IGP paid a visit to Jos and the affected local government areas in the State.
The nation however remains on edge, as terrorism continues to cast a shadow over President Tinubu’s administration.
