By Sarah NEGEDU
As part of efforts to flush out bandits and other criminals from forest around Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory Administration, FCTA, has begun the deployment of drones and other technologies to man ungoverned spaces.
This is as the administration on Monday commenced the clearing of Kobi forest, a notorious hideout for kidnappers operating around Guzape and Asokoro village communities.
The operation follows the September 15 attack at Kobi and Kpaduma 3 villages, where suspected kidnappers killed a vigilante commander and abducted two villagers, who were later rescued by police operatives.
Director of the Department of Development Control, Mukhtar Galadima, who spoke with journalists after the operation said the forest had long served as a transit route and hideout for kidnappers terrorising the capital city.
“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 stated.
He explained that the exercise enjoys the backing of the host community, which had consented to the removal of cashew plantations for the sake of security.
“They are not asking for compensation, only for total clearance of the trees,” he said, adding that similar operations have been carried out at Apo Resettlement, Apo Guzape, and Mabushi scavengers’ colony.
On possible next steps, Galadima disclosed that recommendations would be made to the FCTA for the establishment of security infrastructure in the area.
“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,” he added.
Also speaking, Secretary of the FCT Command and Control Unit, Dr. Peter Olumiji, who represented the Director of Security Services, confirmed that drones and other technologies are being deployed to monitor forests round the clock.
“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. After the clearance, a 24-hour police post will be established to secure the environment. Solar-powered streetlights will also be installed,” he said.
Olumiji stressed that security agencies were extending their investigations beyond the forest to identify informants and collaborators within surrounding communities.
“When security agencies say an investigation is ongoing, it means they are using every tool available, carrying out surveillance and gathering intelligence even within the villages to identify informants. That’s part of what has led to the successes so far,” he explained.
Residents of Kobi, however, said they had endured years of fear and disruption of their livelihoods due to the activities of criminals.
One of them, Iliya Iwadagba, said the village had been peaceful until about five years ago when kidnappers began to use the forest as a base.
“Anytime in the evening when you pass there, people will just come out from the bush and attack innocent people. They killed one man and left his car, they kidnapped another, and just recently our vigilante was shot dead while trying to secure the area,” he recounted.
“So this thing is getting too much. We are calling for the government to clear this bush and give us security. Our businesses don’t flow here like before because everybody is scared of passing this place,” Iwadagba added.
