The death of former Comptroller-General of the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS), David Shikfu Parradang, on March 4, 2025, has sparked fresh concerns about the security situation in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Initial reports suggested he was killed by suspected kidnappers after being trailed from a bank in the early hours of Tuesday. However, the FCT Police Command has since clarified that he died in a hotel.
Regardless of the circumstances of his death, the tragic incident has reignited fears over the growing insecurity in Abuja. For many Nigerians, the nation’s capital was once considered a safe haven—an exception to the wave of violence sweeping through various parts of the country.
But that perception is fading fast. In recent months, cases of kidnappings and violent crimes have surged, spreading fear among residents. What was once limited to remote outskirts has now crept into the city’s main districts, with criminals operating with reckless abandon.
The rising cases of abductions and armed robberies reflect a dangerous trend. Criminals now track individuals from financial institutions, rob them of their money, and in some cases, kill them.
This modus operandi, which has been widely reported in other states, is becoming common in the FCT. Many are asking: if highly placed individuals and security personnel are not safe, what hope do ordinary Nigerians have?
The crisis is not limited to the elite. Residents of areas like Gwarinpa, Kubwa, and Lokogoma have repeatedly raised the alarm over rising kidnappings. In satellite towns such as Bwari, Kuje, and Gwagwalada, families are being forced to pay millions in ransom to secure the release of loved ones.
Fear has gripped many, with some residents now avoiding movement at night, while others remain on high alert even in broad daylight. This is not the first time the security architecture of the FCT has come under scrutiny. Over the years, security agencies have given repeated assurances that measures are being put in place to combat crime, yet the situation keeps deteriorating.
Criminal gangs are growing bolder, striking in areas once deemed safe. The government must realise that Abuja is sliding into the kind of insecurity that has plagued other parts of the country. If urgent action is not taken, the FCT could become a full-blown hotspot for kidnappings and violent crime.
Security agencies must step up intelligence gathering, increase surveillance around financial institutions, and deploy more personnel to known black spots.
More importantly, there is an urgent need for community-based security initiatives. Residents should be encouraged to report suspicious activities, while technology-driven solutions such as CCTV surveillance and emergency response systems must be prioritized.
Regardless of the circumstances of Parradang’s death, it should serve as a wake-up call. Abuja, the seat of power, must not be allowed to descend into lawlessness. If criminals can operate freely in the nation’s capital, it sends a troubling message about the state of security across the country.