•MDAs, firms warn workers to avoid notorious spots
From Adanna Nnamani, Abuja
With Christmas on the horizon amid a scorching economic climate, crimes in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), have gone up in recent weeks.
From kidnapping, genital theft to house raids; carjacking to highway and traffic robberies, government agencies and private firms are warning their workers to steer clear of identified notorious spots now dubbed Abuja crime hubs.
Residents are living in fear. Many people, especially those in suburban areas, are tormented by painful memories of savage attacks by criminals in Abuja, a territory hitherto known for its tranquillity.
Statistics released by the FCT Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), identified Julius Berger Roundabout, Maitama District, Mabushi, Apo Roundabout, Area 1 and 3, Galadimawa, Airport Road and Wuse 2 among dreaded black spots to be avoided.
Police appear overwhelmed as their cells are bursting with criminals arrested for various offenses. A Divisional Police Officer in Kubwa, Bwari Local Government, who did not want his name in print, told Daily Sun that proactive crime-busting initiatives adopted by his unit helped to drive down burglary rates in his jurisdiction.
He advised commuters to be careful when boarding taxis, especially at dusk or dawn, to avoid becoming ‘one chance’ victims. However, Commissioner of Police, FCT, Haruna Garba, said 2,272 suspected criminals were arrested in the last two months. The command also apprehended 207 scavengers and charged 196 of them to court.
He said the command received 62 cases of human genital disappearances, nabbed and charged 51 persons to court for giving false information and inciting public disturbance.
Interestingly, MDAs have taken security more seriously. A memo dated September 21, 2023, from Director, Security, Safety and Fleet Management, Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Gregory Asuquo, warned staff to note some deadly spots in the FCT: “Hotbeds of ‘one chance’ thieves, (a euphemism for robbers in commuter vehicles), Area 1 to Berger, Area 1 to Area 10, Area 1 to Lugbe, Apo Mechanic Village, Kubwa Expressway and Jabi.
“Others include City Gate, Area 1, Under Bridge and Across, Area 2 Plaza behind VIO Office area and Zone. Workers without personal vehicles should commute only in painted registered taxis and hail taxi cab services, as they could easily be traced.
“Always ensure you board commercial vehicles at popular and regulated parks and avoid boarding along the road. If it becomes unavoidable to board along the road, ensure to assess the taxi cab (driver, other occupants if any, tinted glasses etc) before boarding.
“Follow your instincts and if you feel unsafe look for an alternative cab. Avoid late evenings or very early morning trips. Criminals take advantage of such odd hours.”
Miss Agatha Moses, a seamstress, narrated her nasty experience: “I boarded a taxi from Apo Bridge to Lugbe on a fateful evening two weeks ago. I’m usually conscious of the kind of vehicles I board. I saw an elderly woman in the grey-coloured Mazda parked in front of her.
“I was relaxed and boarded the vehicle. It turned out to be a mistake of gargantuan proportions. The woman I thought was innocent was actually part of the ‘one chance’ gang.
“They picked another young man shortly. I was sandwiched between the new passenger and the two other men. The elderly woman sat in the front seat beside the driver.
“We hadn’t driven up to three kilometres when a hot slap landed on my face, almost blinding my eyes. I couldn’t tell where that came from.
Then, a croaky roared: stay calm, cooperate with us or lose your life.
Before I knew what was happening, they collected both my phones and ATM cards.
“With a PoS machine, they emptied the N2.7 million in my account. They later dropped me off along the Kubwa Expressway.”
Ladi Barde, a civil servant recounted a similar experience: “I was going home with a colleague after work on the last day of September when we boarded a vehicle filled with notorious ‘one chance’ robbers.
“Being a rainy evening, there were many commuters chasing the few taxis that braved the odds to operate. Not able to struggle, we moved a little away from the rough crowd to try our luck. This was after we tried to hail a taxi online as the drivers kept cancelling booked rides.
“It was a huge relief when a black golf pulled up beside us offering a free ride. Having stood in the cold for so long, we quickly jumped in. We sat beside the two men at the back seat while thanking the driver profusely.
“The driver was unusually chatty while the other men looked apprehensive. As I began to feel uncomfortable, I felt something cold just above my left hip.
“I turned and to my greatest shock, the man beside me held a pistol to my waist. We were warned to remain calm or risk losing our lives. They threatened to rape, shoot and dump our bodies in a river if we didn’t cooperate.
“They also went as far as moving every penny in our accounts into a Point of Sale (POS) machine. It was the worst day of my life. I still have nightmares from that terrible experience.
“I am now more careful while boarding cabs. I no longer accept free ride no matter how compelling. “
A taxi driver, Wale Ojo, avoids Berger, Area One Round about and other dangerous spots like a plague, especially at night: “Even if you’re paying me N1 million, I have no business around these places once it is past 9pm. Anyone seeking my services at night should know I won’t pass through those areas.
“As you’re dropping your passenger, you’re attacked savagely. Two of my colleagues were killed in these notorious spots. We the living have learnt our lessons.”