The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has dismissed claims of recurring banditry in Abuja, asserting that the city remains secure and that the security agencies are effectively tackling crime.
Speaking during an inspection of ongoing projects in the capital on Monday, Wike said, “I have always said, we only hear one incident, but nobody has said, we have been able to curb or reduce this. There is nowhere in this world, be it any developed country, where you will see there is no form of crime.”
He acknowledged incidents of crime, but insisted that reports of banditry were exaggerated.
“I don’t believe there is banditry in Abuja. But again, it is a city where people want to go and do all kinds of things, kidnapping, this and that.
“So, it will be difficult for anybody to say that in a city that you don’t have one form of crime or another.
“So, there is no recurrence of banditry. There is no banditry in Abuja. I know that last time some people were kidnapped in Bwari, but they were all rescued,” he said.
Wike praised the dedication of security agencies and called for public recognition of their efforts.
“What’s important is how serious the security agencies take this. As far as I am concerned, they are really taking their work very seriously. And we need to give them the necessary support.
“We do not need to always advertise one crime when they have stopped about 50 crimes, and nobody has come out to commend the security agencies, to commend the administration for being able to reduce the crime.
“I think we should commend the security agencies, and they will continue to improve,” he said.
His statements come as residents in satellite towns of the FCT, including Kungaboku and Paze communities, continue to report criminal incidents and threats from bandits.
Some residents of the areas reportedly fled their homes following alleged threats by bandits to invade their communities.
The threats followed a series of kidnappings and attacks, including the rescue of 19 victims by troops of the 7 Guards Battalion, Guards Brigade, Nigerian Army, supported by police and vigilantes.
Police dismiss threat letter
The FCT Police Command has dismissed reports alleging that suspected bandits issued a threat letter to attack communities in the territory.
The police described the reports as the handiwork of mischief makers seeking to cause panic.
Reports had emerged on March 15 and 16, 2026, claiming that suspected bandits sent a letter through a student of a private school in Kungaboku Community, threatening to attack the village and the neighbouring Paze Community.
According to the reports, the alleged threat was said to be in retaliation for the killing of a bandit commander during a recent security operation conducted by the police Anti-Kidnapping Unit in collaboration with personnel of the 7 Guards Battalion of the Guards Brigade.
In a statement on Monday, the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Josephine Adeh, said investigations revealed that the letter did not originate from bandits but from individuals attempting to create fear in the affected communities.
The command urged residents of Kungaboku and neighbouring Paze community, both located within the FCT, to disregard the letter and remain calm.
“Following a thorough investigation into the matter, the command wishes to inform the general public that the said letter originated from mischief makers seeking to spread fear and panic within the community for their mischievous purposes.
“The command, therefore, calls on members of the affected communities and the general public to disregard the letter and remain calm.
“However, residents are enjoined to remain vigilant and security conscious at all times,” the statement read.
Despite the findings, the police said security personnel had been deployed in and around the affected communities to forestall any possible attack and reassure residents of their safety.
“The command has also deployed personnel in and around the affected communities to forestall any possible attack and to further reassure residents of their safety and the command’s commitment to the protection of lives and property across the Federal Capital Territory,” she said.
Adeh also advised members of the public to remain vigilant and security conscious at all times, while urging them to promptly report any suspicious persons or activities through the police emergency lines.