Insecurity: Fear grips Abuja residents as schools, churches shut down
By Mathew Dennis, Joshua Elekwuachi, Taofeek Lawal, Tina Omoregie
Residents of Federal Capital Territory(FCT), now shake like leaves following the fear of Boko-Haram invasion.
Our correspondents that went round the City Capital discovered that residents were apprehended by the rumour of Bandits, Boko-Haram alleged invasion into the City’s Capital.
In Bwari Area Council during the weekend, Parents were seen in a rush to pick-up their Children and wards in public boarding Schools.
Government Secondary School in Kuduru, Mr Abdullahi Musa said, he was called by his Son on Friday Morning for pick-up.
He noted that around “8.a.m on Friday, my Son(Ibramhim), called me to pick him up, when I enquired what could be the reason he said it was because of the insecurity and the upcoming Salah Break.”
Another Parent at Federal Government Girl’s College, Mr Michael Jackson revealed that he was forced to pick his daughter from School following the rumour of Boko Haram Invasion of the environ.
A student of Veritas who doesn’t want to be named said, they were asked to live the school premises due to the state of insecurity.
Our Correspondents gathered that, Security Men were seen across major areas in Abuja showing the intensity of the insecurity.
In Kubwa, our correspondent that Police has been well positioned in NNPC junction, and major points in the area. Same was the situation of Dawaki and Gwarimpa.
Also, Churches in FCT closed their services earlier than expected due to the insecurity.
Several Churches in Lifecamp, Gwarimpa, Airport Road and Kubwa, Churches closed earlier than expected.
However in Nyanya motorcyclists were seen blocking major roads.
At early evening on Sunday, Nyanya Main entrance road was blocked by Motocycle protesters.
According to an eyewitness who preferred to be anonymous, he noted that there is unrest the Nyanya resulting from blockage of road by Motorcyclists.
“There is an unrest At Karu right now leading to Nyanya so any vehicle coming from Orozo, Kurudu, Jikwoyi going to Nyanya, if you get to Karu market you will be stopped. You are advised not to follow that road, if you are going to town pass through Karu not Nyanya, if you going to Nyanya also pass through Karu.
“If you are coming from Nyanya going to Jikwoyi, Orozo or Karu there is no road for you. You are advised to follow through Karu instead because there is an unrest. The Hausa boys and okada boys have blocked every road putting fire everywhere on the road even chasing away some people. So for your own safety don’t follow Nyanya right now because it is not.”
Meanwhile, People’s Democratic Party(PDP), Chieftain and Developmental Analyst, Mr. Abraham Kuti, when interviewed by our correspondent was asked, “There has been circulation on social media of Book Haram presence in the Federal Capital, andthis has led to shutdown of some schools at some border towns and villages. Some schools at Bwari Area Council of the federal capital have gone on compulsory break as a preventive measure against a possible attack like that of Afaka and the likes. Being equipped with information of this kind, it is important to take preventive measures by avoiding unnecessary travels and late night movement, some schools can use the Sallah as an opportunity to give longer breaks pending when Nigerian security agencies clear the air of the present anxiety. It is safe to have kids at home than being held hostage by kidnappers, if need be schools can switch to online classes like during the Covid lockdown. On if fear is necessary?”
He responded that, “It is very natural to have fears as it is human to respond emotionally to danger or sensitive information, in as much as it is nature to respond emotionally to dangers, everyone has to be principled in securing themselves without panic. A Good Sallah celebration should be in the house with family or if need to celebrate with others, one can celebrate with next door neighbour or friends within ones neighborhood to avoid unnecessary moment.
“If everyone chooses to be security conscious by avoiding unnecessary travel or movement, this will help security agencies identify ‘strangers with mission’ and we might have a good Sallah Celebration.”
