Amidst a rash of stabbings in the Federal Capital City, the centre of Nigeria’s political power, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT)Police Command has announced the arrest of four suspects for stabbing one Labaran Usman in the Jabi District, Abuja.
But the arrest pales into significance with reported cases of the crime, which has grown exponential in the city, with residents living in daily fear at the sheer number of young persons wielding all manner of knives and daggers.
When a prominent security officer in an estate near the city gate blocked a thoroughfare running astride four estates, following a robbery incident involving a Point of Sale (PoS) lady beside his estate, it was an eye-opener.
For a few days, the officer stationed some of his armed subordinates to stop and search every commercial motorcyclist that used the thoroughfare. It turned out to be a harvest of knives of different shapes and sizes.
To stop the use of the thoroughfare, the senior security officer caused a fence to be built to block the route.
Elsewhere in Abuja, it has been a different kind of harvest: stabbings all around the city, so much so that it has become almost a daily occurrence in the last one year. Other reports put the trend at nearly three years.
An engineer whose car broke down right in the middle of the city, not far away from the Federal Ministry of Works in Mabushi, had a near-death experience as two miscreants with daggers attacked him and a friend. A slash aimed for his throat missed him by inches landing on his chin.
Meanwhile, there is a post circulating on social media on the menace of knives wielding criminals of Abuja.
Titled, “Security around Abuja,” it reads ominously: “It has become imperative that we bring this to your notice ….
“Over the last two weeks, there has been several reported incidents of stabbings across Abuja from Wuse II to Gwarimpa, Airport road (from city gate all the way to Gwagwalada), Utako and Jabi …..
“With 3 (allegedly) fatalities recorded yesterday a lady was stabbed to death … at city gate, she and her friend were attacked around 8 pm when their car broke down ….
“Please if your car breaks down along the express, lock your car and run far away from your car then call for help keep a very long distance from your car if you can….. run to the direction where there is light or there is human activity but monitor your surroundings before running…
“Avoid going out in the early morning for walks or runs especially before sunset …. Always make sure the sun is out and do your outdoor exercises where there is human activity.. avoid lonely areas ….
“If you must take taxi along do so from designated bus stops …..
“Try to limit keeping late nights if you can …. Make sure you have a very good reason to do so if you must …
“Please we love you and value your life ….
“N/B if you find yourself in any situation that you find yourself in danger please reach out to people who can help..
“#fwd as received.”
The suspects arrested are:
Mubarak Ibrahim, Male, 24, Mohammed Adamu, Male; 18, and Aliyu Ibrahim, Male; 19, were arrested when The Police responded to a distress call that someone was stabbed by a suspected group around Utako Motor Park.
The FCT Police Command Public Relations Officer, SP Josephine Adeh, made this disclosure in a Press Release made available to Abuja Digest Thursday.
According to the statement, the suspects were arrested in connection to the stabbing and causing of grievous hurt on one Labaran Usman in the Jabi District of Abuja.
The statement added that exhibits recovered were two daggers used in committing the dastardly act.
The team also arrested another member of the group, one Ibrahim Tsoho Musa, Male, 48, from Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State.
The Police revealed that a search conducted on the residence Ibrahim Tsoho Musa at Anguwan Fulani, in Bwari Area Council, FCT, was one locally fabricated Rifle loaded with 6 rounds of ammunition, one Military Camouflage Trouser and 2 Daggers.
The statement said the FCT Commissioner Of Police, CP Haruna Garba has commended the Men of FCT Police Command attached to the Utako Divisional Headquarters for the successful arrest of Four Suspects.
The Commissioner Of Police also tasked them to increase the tempo and to aggressively flush out out miscreants from the Federal Capital Territory.
He urged residents to be vigilant and to always report suspicious activities to The Police.
The victim, Labaran Usman, a 32 year old Man from Kaduna State is said to be recuperating in the Hospital.
▪︎ Feature photo and additional report by Abuja Digest