Rumours of Bandit Attacks Unsettle Abuja Residents, FCT Minister Reacts
- As gale of insecurity spread across states, there is palpable tension in the nation's capital, Abuja
- Reports say some parents are already withdrawing their wards from schools in the outskirts of the city over kidnap scare
- The Niger state governor recently stated that Boko Haram elements are just two hours away from Abuja
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A report by The Guardian newspaper indicates that there is tension in Abuja over rumours of bandits settling in the outskirts of the Nigerian capital.
The Federal Capital Territory, FCT, is surrounded by states who have witnessed consistent attacks by bandits and terrorists in their domain.
In nearby Niger state, dozens of people were kidnapped days ago from Shadadi town in Mariga local government area near the Nigerian capital.
Source: UGC
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According to a resident, more than 1,000 gunmen had attacked the area, killing eight persons and wounding four, while all the survivors have fled.
The Niger state commissioner for information, Sani Idris, confirmed the attack and said they were currently compiling statistics of the number of people affected by the attack.
Already, parents and guardians in Abuja, particularly, Bwari Area Council, have started withdrawing their wards en masse from schools over the build-up of hundreds of suspected Fulani militia in Sabon-Wuse, a border town with Niger state.
According to reports, the suspected Fulani militia disguised as nomadic herders crossed the Abuja-Kaduna highway near Sabon-Wuse town in Niger on Wednesday, May 5 causing pandemonium as residents panicked, thinking it was an attack.
Reacting to the development, the FCT minister, Malam Muhammad Bello, has said that his administration will continue to work closely with the Nigerian Armed Forces and all other security agencies for the continued safety of the FCT.
According to Leadership newspaper, the minister gave the assurance when he received a delegation from the Defence Headquarters in Abuja.
Bello said that Abuja was secure due to the close working relationship between the heads of the various military formations and other security agencies in the FCT over the years.
Recall that on Thursday, May 6, seven people were killed by bandits in an attack on Yangalu, Magama local government area of Niger state.
The bandits in large numbers on motorcycles invaded the community and shot sporadically to scare people away after which they destroyed properties and foodstuff before they took off.
A few days ago, the terrorists staged a deadly attack in Kotonkoro in Mariga local government area of Niger state, killing more than 20 vigilantes.
The attack occurred on Monday, March 22, after the vigilantes engaged a group of bandits in the area.
Source: Legit.ng
