Investigation Uncovers How Bandits Can Attack Abuja

Intelligence and investigative visits to the perimeter of the Federal Capital Territory reveal the frightening vulnerability of the nation’s capital.

Kuje Area Council occupies the southern part of the Federal Capital Territory bordering Nasarawa State, a state believed to harbor terrorists. It is also contiguous to Girei and Gwagwalada areas where bandits from Niger State could enter the nation’s capital.

But there’s nothing to show the FCT Administration is aware of this threat, confirming the information given to this website by a top security official at the Department of State Services that Abuja is vulnerable to attack from bandits who are hiding out along the perimeter of the nation’s capital.

THE WHISTLER had reported how the Inspector-General of Police, Usman Alkali-Baba, in an internal memo in May, notified the FCT and Plateau State Police Commands of plans by Boko Haram to unleash “coordinated attacks” on the FCT and the state, amongst others.

In the memo with reference number TB: O900/IGP.SEC/ABJ/VOLT1/47, and dated May 19, the IGP asked the Commissioners of Police in charge of those commands to “review your security architecture across all critical Government infrastructures and Police facilities in your jurisdiction with the view to checkmating the dastardly plans of this marauding terrorists”.

Alkali-Baba had subsequently said that the directive was “deliberate, intelligence-driven and proactive” and aimed at preparing “the law enforcement community for comprehensive response to any threat to lives and property.”

However, despite the IGP’s memo, the FCT has continued to record pockets of kidnappings and attacks, including the recent abduction of some senior lecturers and members of the families.

During our reporter’s investigative visit to Kuje, it was observed that the road to the town from the city center and to the hinterland communities in the council have remained untarred and unmotorable for years, and they lack any security presence. The roads  are dark at night and there are no police posts along the way, except a checkpoint.

 When THE WHISTLER traveled on the road on a Tuesday at 7:30 pm, there were no security personnel on the road except at a military checkpoint at the Gudaba area of the district.

Road to remote parts of the council such as Pegi, Chikuku and border communities like Sankache and Guana are dreaded even during the day as there are no security men manning them.

It was difficult to get a vehicle to Pegi, the nearest community to Kuje town, at 8pm as there were few vehicles plying the road. Passengers and motorists watch one another with suspicion as it is one of the roots used by bandits who kidnap for ransom.

A resident told this reporter that policemen posted to Pegi always find ways to redeploy due to the danger lurking around the area. Many residents who spoke to THE WHISTLER said the only police post along Pegi is “unreliable” because the personnel are hardly there.

Security analysts have also said the Kuje-Gwagwalada axis of the FCT remains a vulnerable perimeter for bandits and terrorists.

The axis connects with Zuba in the western boundary of Abuja. Zuma is located between Suleja in Niger State and the Bwari Council of the FCT. Despite the high incidence of kidnapping and attacks on the Abuja-Kaduna road, the  Zuba/Gwagwalada express road is surprisingly bare in terms of security.

For the 35 minutes drive from Zuba park to the popular SPD junction in Gwagwalada, there were no security personnel seen. The only visible security presence is the military checkpoint along the way leading to the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital, Gwagwalada.

 Also, towards the Girei axis of Gwagwalada  is a NAF base camp less than 10 minutes away from the University of Abuja Staff Quarters. But this is not intimidating enough to scare kidnappers who invaded the staff quarters on November 2 and abducted 6 individuals including senior lecturers and their family members.

Those kidnappers are believed to have followed a bush path from the quarters into the forest off the expressway to Gwagwalada, and perhaps into the forest in Niger State.

Although police and military personnel, including counter terrorism units of the police, can be seen close to the gate of the Main Campus of the University of Abuja, their brief, however, seems to be the protection of the university.

The Zuba area connects with Bwari to form the western perimeter of the FCT. From Dutse Alhaji to Bwari town, there are only two security points, one police checkpoint and a military checkpoint with few personnel.

At the military checkpoint, motorists and passengers may be asked one or two questions. Sometimes they ask passengers to come down so they could check inside the vehicle.

A Military source said the checkpoint is always put on red alert whenever there was credible intelligence about bandits and terrorists. But the number of military personnel at the checkpoint , the source say, is not enough to ward off a terrorists’ attack.

Bandits operating in neighbouring Kaduna State can use the route to launch an attack on the FCT.

A security expert, Olatubosun Abolarinwa, agreed that the FCT is exposed. He told THE WHISTLER, “Yes, the vulnerability of the FCT is a reality we cannot shy away from. It is a matter of when and not if.

 “The circumference and perimeter of the FCT needs a beefed up of security. This is to ensure that criminals do not have free use of ground inward and outward to the FCT.”

The Nyanya—Karshi  axis is equally another unguarded entry point into the FCT from Nasarawa State. Nyanya is of one of the most popular communities in Nasarawa State, with an indistinct boundary with the FCT.

 It has links with neighbouring areas like Jikwoyi, Kurudu, Pegi, Gidan Mangoro, Orozo, Pianko, Karshi and Tudunwada. There is scanty security presence along the main Nyanya—Karshi road during the day and at night.

However, this reporter was informed that one or two police vehicles usually go on surveillance patrol up to along Jere road that link the FCT to Kaduna.  But there are no street lights, making the axis one of the most dangerous places to ply at night.

Speaking on what should be done to protect the FCT from unexpected attacks, Abolarinwa said the  FCTA needs to support the FCT Police Command with needed resources to achieve a better perimeter protection.

“The NPF needs to put in place strategic Observation Points and also monitor their personnel’s performance to ensure good service deliveries in and around FCT,” he said.

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