The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has expressed its intention to take action against the increasing incidents of ‘one-chance’ robbery by shutting down illegal motor parks operating in Abuja, the capital city.
During a press briefing in his office, Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike, highlighted the urgency of addressing the prevalent issue of kidnappings and one-chance robberies. He emphasized the geographic positioning of the FCT, surrounded by states prone to banditry and kidnapping, such as Niger, Kogi, Nasarawa, and Kaduna.
Wike further revealed that the FCTA has identified shanties and uncompleted buildings as common hideouts for criminals. Consequently, he stressed that demolishing these structures would eliminate their safe havens.
To combat the security menace posed by one-chance robbery, the FCTA has established a joint task force on cross-border crimes. However, Wike attributed the surge in crime to illegal motor parks and uncompleted buildings being utilized as dens by criminals.
The minister disclosed that the FCTA plans to close down some of these illegal motor parks in the city. He acknowledged that certain individuals might voice concerns about the economic impact of such actions, but stressed the need to prioritize security considerations.
One recent victim of one-chance robbery in Abuja was Greatness Olorunfemi, a community developer and member of the Young African Leaders Initiative Network (YALI). Criminals reportedly pushed her out of a moving vehicle along the Maitama-Kubwa highway and subsequently robbed her. Tragically, Olorunfemi passed away at Maitama General Hospital, allegedly due to being denied treatment for lack of a police report.
