FCTA Clears Forest Hideout Of Kidnappers In Abuja Communities

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has cleared one of the territory’s widest forests known as “Kobi forest” Which before now was aiding criminal activities such as kidnapping around Guzape, and Asokoro village communities.

Clearing of the hilly forest came nearly eight days after a group of kidnappers struck at Kobi and Paduma 3 villages in which a vigilantes commander named Bello was killed while two earlier kidnapped villagers were rescued by the police.

Speaking at the commencement of the the clearing exercise on Monday, the Director of Development Control, FCTA, Muktar Galadinma, said the clearance exercise is to frustrate the evil plans of the kidnappers as the forest have been discovered to be serving as escape route whenever they finished their nefarious activities.

“The purpose of our visit to this site is to clear this forest, which has become an ungoverned space. About a week ago, there was a reported case of kidnapping, and the suspects were traced to this area. In the course of the rescue attempt, one of the vigilante officers lost his life. That is why we are here this morning—to ensure all the trees are brought down.”

Galadima noted that the villagers had earlier gave their consent to remove the cashew forest to pave way for effective surveillance. He said security of life and properties of people is of ultimate priority in the present material time than compensation.

“I’ve just been informed by the representative of the village chief that they support this action and will cooperate with us in clearing everything, because they too have been victims of the situation. They are not asking for compensation, only for total clearance of the trees”.

He also maintained that all the shanties around the villages would also be removed as he suggested a police post for the area.

“In many areas around the fringes of Abuja, we see similar situations where trees and forests are used as cover. This exercise is not limited to this community alone. A few weeks ago, we started clearing plantations in places like Apo Resettlement, where we cleared over two hectares, and also at Apo Guzape and Last year, we cleared the Mabushi Scavengers Colony, where the trees were being used as a form of shelter. So this effort is not confined to the city center; it extends beyond it”.

He revealed that the security committee is making recommendations to the federal capital territory administration on the possible steps needed to curtail the criminal activities in the area.

“We will make recommendations to the FCT Administration. Agencies like the Directorate of Rural Services, the Abuja Environmental Protection Board, and the police may be stationed here. Arrangements can be made to ensure this corridor is properly maintained”.

On his part, Director of FCT security services Department, Adam Gwari, represented by the secretary, FCT command and control, Dr. Peter Olumuji, revealed that the FCT administration is employing the use of drone surveillance technology, to monitor the uncovered space in and around the FCT including forest in the villages . He explained that the drones work twenty four hours a day.

He noted that as parts of measures to secured the area, a 24-hour hours service police post will be established to secure the environment including Solar-powered streetlights.

“As the director has explained, this forest is a major transit route for kidnapping activities. From here, criminals can move to Karu, Jikwoyi, Orozo and Kurudu The Police Commissioner has already surveyed these routes, which is why we are here now to clear this area”.

Gwari noted that security agencies are already carrying out investigation to uncover more about the incident that happened on 15 September in the village.

One of the residents of Kobi, who gave his name as Iliya Iwadagba narrated their ordeals saying they have been living there for a long time peacefully without any fear of kidnappers.

“We did not experience this kind of thing. But five years back now, some unwanted people started coming here, and we could no longer pass this route because anytime in the evening when you pass there, people will just come out from bush this bush around us, and attack “.

He explained how the suspected kidnappers have been operating on the road that connects Kobi and Kpaduma villages , he hinted that about two people were killed inside their cars while returning from works in the night, while some were forcefully taken away at the fall of night on the same Kobi road.

“They killed one man and left his car, they kidnapped one man, and left his car, and just of recent our vigilante while trying to secure the area, they came out and shot them”.

“So this thing is getting too much. So we are calling for the government to see how they can at least clear this bush and give us security. Even us that are working here, we cannot work because we always think something will happen, our businesses does not flow here like before because everybody is scared of following this place”.