Ahead of the planned protest against hunger and bad governance scheduled for August 1-10, the military and security agencies have embarked on a show of force in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The military has set up roadblocks and increased security at all entry and exit points into the FCT. Similar roadblocks have been established in vulnerable areas within the city center and satellite towns, while previously closed military checkpoints have been reopened. This heightened security is intended to prevent hoodlums from entering the FCT.
Pathwaynews investigations revealed that soldiers from the Guards Brigade, Nigerian Army, have beefed up security at key locations such as Abaji, Keffi/Abuja road, Giri, Abuja/Kaduna road, Bwari/Kaduna road, and Karshi/Nassarawa road. The soldiers are conducting stop-and-search operations on specific vehicles suspected of carrying passengers of questionable character.
A security operative, who wished to remain anonymous, told Daily Sun that the stop-and-search operations, which began last week, have yielded significant results, including the arrest of some suspects. The source also mentioned that ongoing security patrols in the FCT and surrounding states are targeting and destroying criminal hideouts and raiding vulnerable areas daily.
These vulnerable areas include Gwagwalada, Zuba, Kaduna road, Gwagwa, Idu, Bwari, Dutse, Jabi, Utako, Karmo, Lugbe, Apo, Kugbo, Mararaba, Kuje, Nyanya, Jikwoyi, Masaka, and Jiwa, where several arrests have been made and dangerous weapons recovered. Snap security checkpoints have been established throughout the FCT and surrounding states.
The security forces involved in the show of force comprise personnel from the armed forces, police, DSS, NSCDC, Immigration, Customs, and the Federal Road Safety Corps, among others. These personnel have been patrolling satellite towns in a show of force convoy to signal to potential protesters to reconsider their actions. The convoy is led by the police, with the army bringing up the rear.
Residents of Karshi, Orozo, Nyanya, Mararaba, Abuja/Keffi road, Garki, Wuse, Kubwa expressway, Kuje, Gwagwalada, and the city center observed the show of force.
FCT Police Commissioner Beneth Igwe previously appealed to residents not to participate in the planned protest to avoid destabilizing the security measures in place to safeguard the FCT.
Meanwhile, there is palpable tension in the FCT. Some residents have chosen to stay indoors, observing the situation, while others have stocked up on food and other necessities in anticipation of the protest. A tour around the city revealed a scarcity of transportation, with many passengers stranded at bus stops in the city center and satellite towns. Transporters have kept their vehicles off the road due to fuel shortages and financial constraints. Even private drivers, known as Kabu-kabu, were absent, leaving many passengers stranded.
Daily Sun also reported that some residents have fled the FCT with their children, given the long-term holiday, to safer locations for the duration of the protest.
Attempts to contact FCT Police Commissioner Benneth Igwe and the FCT Police Public Relations Officer for comments were unsuccessful.
