FCT Records Decline in Abduction, Other Crimes in 2024

ABUJA—The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) reports that kidnappings and other crimes in the nation's capital decreased in 2024.

Adamu Gwary, Director of the FCTA's Security Service Department, said this at Tuesday's end-of-year news conference in Abuja.

Gwary identified kidnappings as a prominent source of security worry in rural communities across the FCT, particularly in 2023.

“Today, we can beat our chest to say that the number of reported cases of kidnappings has significantly dropped.

“Before now, you can hardly go a week without having a reported case of kidnapping.

“Now, when we check our statistics, you will notice that sometimes a whole month will go by without any incident,” he said.

He says there has been a significant decrease in one-time crimes since 2023.

The Director went on to say that the city's current anti-tinted-glasses campaign had helped to reduce the number of cases of one chance.

He also stated that operations against scavengers, street hawkers, and beggars produced the anticipated results and had freed the city of criminal elements masquerading as scavengers, beggars, and street hawkers.

According to him, the FCT is safer and more secure today than it was in early and mid-2023.

Gwary attributed the accomplishments to measures put in place by the FCT Administration in coordination with security services, as well as the FCT Minister's support.

He said that the minister has supported the department in ensuring that security agencies in the FCT were effectively supported to improve their operations and coverage.