FCT Is Safe, IG Claims After Rise In Abductions, Car Theft

…Abuja has lowest crime rates in the world

The Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, has claimed that the Federal Capital Territory was safe, secure and not under any form of siege.

His assertion is coming after reports of abductions and rise in theft of vehicles across the city sparked panic among residents about an upsurge in crime rate within and around the nation’s capital.

About five persons including a lecturer with Baze University, Jabi, had been reported kidnapped in Abuja, on Saturday.

While the police rescued the lecturer, the family of a victim, Miss Aisha Ardo, reportedly coughed out $15,000 in bitcoins to secure her release on Sunday night.

Aisha, who is the daughter of a People’s Democratic Party chieftain, Umar Ardo, was taken away in a Toyota Camry outside a popular supermarket in Kwame Nkrumah Crescent, Asokoro, on Saturday.

Ardo confirmed the release of his daughter on Monday.

Two teenagers returning from an Islamic school at Wuse zone 6, around 6:00 p.m. on Saturday were also said to have been abducted. The names of the victims could not be immediately ascertained.

Also feared abducted was Mrs. Hannah Azuibuike who was reportedly taken away near Habiba plaza, Maitama, around 8:30 p.m.

There have also been reports of a rise in car theft around Abuja in recent weeks with vehicles being taken away by thieves from public car parks across the city.

But defending the security situation, the IG in a statement said the FCT had the lowest crime rates in the world, noting that “the FCT police command has a robust anti-crime architecture which is continually rejigged to effectively tackle prevailing and emerging crimes.”

The statement by the police spokesman, DCP Frank Mba noted, “While observing that, like other climes across the world, the country has its security challenges, the IGP, however, notes that a comprehensive analysis of crime statistics of major cities across the world would reveal that Abuja has one of the lowest crime rates and remains indisputably one of the safest capital cities in the world.”

He urged all law-abiding citizens and visitors to go about their lawful endeavours without any fear.