Abuja Under Siege: When the Capital’s Promise Becomes a Hunting Ground.

By George Omagbemi Sylvester | Published by SaharaWeeklyNG.com

Power, pomp and paranoia – Nigeria’s seat of government is being hollowed out by crime.

Abuja was designed to be Nigeria’s safest city, a meticulously planned capital where power, diplomacy and order converge. It was built to stand apart from the chaos of Lagos and the volatility of other Nigerian regions. Yet today, this “CITY of PEACE” is steadily transforming into a hunting ground for kidnappers, robbers and violent opportunists who stalk its highways and suburbs with audacious confidence.

Between January and December 2024, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command recorded over 1,400 reported crimes, including 268 armed robberies, 104 kidnappings and hundreds of other violent incidents. While officials claim there has been a “15% DECLINE in CRIME” compared to 2023, most residents feel the opposite, that the fear on Abuja’s streets is not receding but mutating into something more menacing.

“When citizens no longer feel safe in the capital, it is not just a security failure – it is a failure of governance itself.”
~ Prof. Etannibi Alemika, criminologist, University of Jos

The irony is striking: the city that houses the Presidential Villa, the National Assembly and the Supreme Court has itself become a theater of lawlessness. From the affluent districts of Maitama and Asokoro to the densely populated suburbs of Kubwa, Gwagwalada and Kuje, insecurity now transcends class, geography and status.

The Rise of “ONE-CHANCE” Criminality.
Among Abuja’s most terrifying trends is the surge in “one-chance” robberies, a crime where unsuspecting commuters board vehicles that appear legitimate, only to be assaulted, robbed or even abducted en route. These syndicates operate with precision, exploiting rush-hour desperation and the gaps in urban surveillance.

“Abuja is no longer the sanitized capital it once was,” says security analyst Kabir Adamu of Beacon Consulting. “The city’s rapid expansion has outpaced its policing capacity. Criminals have learned to adapt faster than our systems can respond.”

This adaptation is visible everywhere. Satellite towns such as Lugbe, Karu, Nyanya and Dei-Dei are hotspots, where kidnappings often go unreported due to fear or lack of trust in the police. Even near heavily guarded areas, brazen robberies have occurred, challenging the illusion that power offers protection.

The Politics of Fear and Failure.
The insecurity in Abuja is not an isolated outbreak; it is a symptom of systemic decay. The capital’s policing architecture has become reactive rather than proactive, a cycle of deploying special units after tragedies rather than preventing them.

Following a wave of kidnappings early this year, the FCT Administration announced the creation of new tactical teams. Yet within weeks, another series of abductions hit the Bwari axis and Gwagwalada. The pattern is painfully clear: TEMPORARY MEASURES THAT COLLAPSE ONCE MEDIA ATTENTION FADES.

“The crisis of Abuja is not a lack of guns; it is a lack of governance.”
~ George O. Sylvester

The FCT’s unique status as a federal territory has also complicated accountability. Local area councils lack the autonomy and resources to implement long-term crime-prevention strategies. Meanwhile, federal agencies overlap and sometimes compete for jurisdiction, creating a bureaucratic fog that criminals exploit.

Economic Desperation: The Hidden Driver.
Crime does not rise in a vacuum. Abuja’s glittering skyline hides deep social inequality. Unemployment among youths in the FCT stood at over 33% in 2024, according to the National Bureau of Statistics. The rapid urban influx has outstripped housing, education and employment infrastructure, leaving thousands of young men idle, angry and susceptible to criminal networks.

Dr. Jide Ojo, a public affairs analyst, warns that “until the socioeconomic foundations are addressed, the police will always be chasing shadows.” In his view, sustainable security cannot exist where basic livelihoods are collapsing.

A City Losing Its Moral Centre.
Abuja’s insecurity has eroded not just safety but confidence in state institutions. When diplomats require armed convoys to attend official events, when residents crowd online forums to warn each other of unsafe roads and when families begin setting curfews for fear of abduction, the symbolism of the capital as the “SEAT of ORDER” collapses.

The effects ripple through the economy: fewer investors, reduced nightlife and an unquantifiable psychological cost. The Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) estimates that insecurity has contributed to a 20% drop in small business activity across FCT suburbs in the past year.

“Fear is bad for business and right now, Abuja’s economy is being taxed by terror.”
~ Muda Yusuf, Economist & CEO, Centre for the Promotion of Private Enterprise

What Must Be Done.
Intelligence-Led Policing:
Abuja’s security apparatus must move beyond random patrols. A data-driven approach (using surveillance technology, integrated command centres and neighborhood intelligence networks) is crucial.

Community Partnership:
Community policing should be institutionalised. Local vigilance groups can be formalised and trained to complement the police under strict oversight.

Accountability and Reform:
Corruption within security ranks must be confronted head-on. A 2024 CLEEN Foundation report found that over 40% of Nigerians distrust police response due to alleged collusion and bribery. Without reform, no amount of hardware will help.

Socioeconomic Interventions:
Government must invest in urban employment schemes, vocational training, and affordable housing to address root causes. Crime feeds on desperation; hope is its antidote.

Transparency:
Security briefings should become regular, honest, and data-backed — not propaganda exercises. Citizens deserve clarity, not spin.

A Capital at a Crossroads.
Every great city mirrors its country’s soul. Abuja’s current descent reflects Nigeria’s broader struggle between governance and collapse, promise and paralysis. If the capital (the heart of political power) cannot guarantee safety, what message does that send to Kano, Port Harcourt or Jos?

As the late Chinua Achebe warned in The Trouble with Nigeria, “The trouble with Nigeria is simply and squarely a failure of leadership.” Today, that failure echoes across Abuja’s darkened streets and deserted highways.

If this crisis is not reversed, the city will not just lose its peace, it will lose its purpose. A nation that cannot secure its capital cannot claim sovereignty. Abuja must rise again, not by rhetoric, but by reform and relentless resolve.

Creative Designers Guild of Nigeria Hosts 2.0 Creative Exhibition

Theme: Redefining Culture for Economic Productivity through Film Industry in Nigeria

Lagos, Nigeria – The Creative Designers Guild of Nigeria (CDGN), the largest guild within the Nigerian entertainment industry, is proud to announce its second edition of the CDGN Creative Exhibition tagged “Redefining Culture for Economic Productivity through Film Industry in Nigeria.” The exhibition will take place on Thursday, October 16, 2025, at NECA House, Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos.

As the Creative powerhouse of Nollywood, CDGN plays the central role in shaping the visual identity of Nigerian films through costume design, makeup and hair artistry , props management , set design, and location management. Under the leadership of Mrs. Akinyemi Osawaru Joy, National President of CDGN, this second edition builds on the success of the inaugural exhibition and aims to highlight the creative industry’s contribution to Nigeria’s cultural diplomacy, economic growth, and international partnerships.

The 2025 exhibition will feature:
National Showcase: Creative designers from all geopolitical zones of the Federation will present their works, offering a true reflection of Nigeria’s cultural diversity, innovation, and artistry.
Durbar & Panel Session: A high-level dialogue on “Building Bridges in Cultural Creativity and Design Between Countries with Cultural Ties to Nigeria,” will explore opportunities for cultural exchange, international collaborations, and cross-border trade.
Immersive Experiences: Guests will encounter Nigeria’s traditions and modern creative designs through live displays, exhibitions, and networking opportunities.

Speaking on the upcoming event, Mrs. Akinyemi noted: The CDGN 2.0 Creative Exhibition is not just a showcase of culture and design, but a bold statement of how creativity can drive national productivity. By bringing together stakeholders from academia, culture, entertainment, and the international community, we are creating new pathways for cultural exchange and economic growth.”
The exhibition will be attended by government officials, cultural diplomats, industry stakeholders, and international representatives. With support from both local and foreign partners, CDGN continues to reaffirm its key role in shaping Nollywood’s global influence while positioning Nigeria’s creative sector as an incontestable driver of development.

Slated to commence on
Thursday, October 16, 2025, at NECA House, Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos
Theme: Redefining Culture for Economic Productivity through Film Industry in Nigeria

For media inquiries, partnership opportunities, and participation details, please contact:
CDGN Secretariat
Email: [email protected], [email protected]
Phone: +234-8033482715
+234-8025773388
Website: www.cdgnworldwide.com

About CDGN
The Creative Designers Guild of Nigeria (CDGN) is the umbrella body of creative professionals in Nollywood, including costume designers, makeup and hair stylists, property masters, and set designers. Since its inception, CDGN has been committed to preserving Nigeria’s cultural heritage, empowering creative talents, and advancing the economic value of the nation’s entertainment industry.

KCCN is connecting cultures, inspiring millions world over – Director Jeon

By Ifeoma Ikem

The Director of Korean Cultural Centre in Nigeria (KCCN), Mr Jeon Ju Ho said the centre’s K-pop annual Multi Cultural Festival project is connecting diverse cultures and inspiring millions around the world

Ju Ho who disclosed this during the celebration of the annual event in Lagos said K-pop was to showcase Korean heritage and the heritage of other countries in order to strengthen their cultural ties.

“This festival stands as part of the celebration of our culture, creativity, and friendship as well in Nigeria

“What you witnessed here today was not only to enjoy music and performance but to celebrate culture, creativity, and friendship’’.

He noted that K-Pop, a global phenomenon born in the heart of Korea, has found a vibrant and passionate home in Nigeria, a country rich in national resources, musical talent and vibrant youth culture.

“At the South Korean stand, it was a delight to a great number of festival buffs swarming around and getting in queue to enjoy the culinary experience.

“Actually this year’s festival is different, we prepared for this event, our food was enough, everyone tasted our food and testified their different experiences,’’ he added.

The festival was highly competitive, respective countries’national flags, food, dance and traditional artifacts were displayed

Other participating countries included Egypt, Zimbabwe, Indonesia, the Philippines, Ghana, India, Jamaica, Pakistan, Côte d’Ivoire, and South Africa.