James Harisson, Abuja
Residents of Estates around the Efab bridge along the Abuja Kubwa Express Road are living in fear as kidnappers, robbers and other criminal elements have besieged the area to attack unsuspecting people.
For the past two weeks residents of Efab Metropolitan Estate, Mab Global Estate, IPENT Estate, Efab Queens estate and many others have been living under tension over the increasing criminality in the area.
The Network investigation revealed that the criminals have attacked residents under the bridge and the intersection linking over 11 estates.
A security source said that the area is under threat as there have been noticeable incidents of carjacking, knife attacks, attempted kidnapping and robberies around the Efab bridge in the past two weeks.
The Efab bridge and the intersection have become notorious for crime with the increase in the number of residents who are moving into their homes in the new estates around Karsana District.
Last year, Kidnappers abducted the wife of a retired permanent secretary at Efab Metropolitan Estate who stopped at the inter section to buy fruits in the evening.
Authoritative community sources said that the family coughed out outrageous amount of money as ransom to ensure the release of the woman.
This case of the Perm Sec’s wife was the second time a resident had been kidnapped in the area.
This was in addition to knife attacks, robberies and other crimes committed in the area.
The worried residents approached the police and the Gwarimpa division came to the rescue by deploying a police team to the area in the evening.
This was a lot of relief to residence who close late from work as no case of crime was reported in the area especially with the police presence
The residents took the additional step to remove all shanties and street hawkers from the area as part of the efforts to complement the police presence.
Curiously, the policemen were withdrawn or are no longer regular in the area, and that may have emboldened the criminals to return to the dark spot.
On Wednesday, residents of affected estates who are troubled by the siege of crime alerted community members to be vigilant while returning from work.
The threat of increased crime dominated discussions on community WhatsApp platforms.
Our correspondent contacted the Police Public Relations Officer, Ms Josephine Adeh for her reaction but said there was no insecurity in the area.
She simply said this is not true pls.
However, the position of the leadership of one of the estates in a WhatsApp post contradicts this position
“Good morning Esteemed Homeowners, we have been apprised with credible intel of heightened security threats around our area.
“There have been incidents of carjacking, stabbings, attempted kidnapping and robberies around the Efab bridge in the past two weeks.
“This information is not designed to make you panic but to allow you inform your household to be careful and take extra precautions around that area.
“As you go about your legitimate business, please try to be careful and take adequate precautions to ensure your safety.”