For people who are visiting Abuja for the first time, the anticipated thrills or anxiety of being in the fastest growing city in the world can be challenging.
Beyond the flowery gardens and beautiful landscape are hideouts of miscreants and criminal elements who terrorize residents as KEHINDE OSASONA observes below.
Most Abuja residents and those who live in the suburbs are fond of setting out early for work or business.
Beyond these, people who engage in ritual practices also lurk around these places in other to pounce on their preys, inspite of the heavy security presences in the Federal Capital.
Most Abuja residents and those who live in the suburbs are fond of setting out early for work or business.
Also, most of them come home late due to the nature of their work.
Many unpleasant things do happen at those odd hours and Blueprint Weekend discovered 10 places in Abuja where people are either harassed, mugged or robbed off their possessions.
Wuse II Th is is one black spot where criminal activities thrive the moment darkness descends.
You just have to be extra careful when driving or moving around this area in the night.
Funny enough, some of these criminals often pretend to be private security personnel manning edifices around the area.
A victim, one Ms Eunice revealed that the hoodlums usually pounce on their victims in group, using heavy chains to stop them abruptly and thereafter rob them of their belongings.
She said; ‘ I was robbed of my phones, money and clothes meant for customers around Wuse 2 even when I was already close to a popular club house in the area.
’’
Under Apo bridge Th ere have been many reported cases of people getting robbed under the Apo bridge.
Armed bandits usually take advantage of the fact that the place is often deserted at night.
‘’ Regardless of the fact that some notable buildings with security personnel are situated some metres away, these bandits have a way of carrying out their act and still escape unchallenged,’’ a resident disclosed to our correspondent.
Berger under bridge Th is popular bridge situated right in the heart of Abuja has suddenly become residents’ nightmare.
A well constructed bridge with adjoining roads leading to Wuse, Jabi area, Gwarimpa and Airport road, the structure is also a den of criminals.
These criminals, according to reports, attacks passers-by at night or early dawn when there is less traffi c.
Area I roundabout Area I roundabout is a delight to watch when residents troop out in the day time because of the human and vehicular traffic.
However, it is deserted at night and it is noted for all forms of harassment by suspected hoodlum.
Usually, the area reeks of Indian hemp and all manner of intoxicants are sold freely there.
A driver who fell a victim explained to our reporter how he narrowly escaped the hoodlum’s ambush sometimes last month as he was about to close for the day.
Malam Iliyas said that around 10pm about fi ve people ‘’swooped on me and the passenger.
I quickly moved away from that spot before I later sped off .
If I had not been that fast, perhaps they would have robbed me of my whole day’s take home and even the passenger who was carrying a bag.
’’
Zone 7 Bup stop Zone 7 bus stop has been described as another dangerous area especially at night.
Many times, the place appears deserted immediately after working hours so much that it will take a courageous person to stand and wait for vehicle.
Th e road linking the junction, according to a resident is an escape route for hoodlums and bag snatchers.
Dantata Bridge People who wait at the Dantata bridge overseeing Galadimawa and Lugbe have had their own share of nasty tales in the hands of criminals.
For any passenger, coming from Airport road or from the city centre trying to access Galadimawa, being on that spot is often a hell of a risk.
It is even worst in the night when passengers have no choice but to trek downward towards the flower garden and face the Galadimawa roundabout which is still under construction
Games village by traffic light For Amina who lives at Maccido estate in Galadimawa area, the traffi c light junction by Gudu is gradually becoming a no- go area especially in the night.
On a certain night when she plied the Games village road by traffi c light at night, she fell victim of a sordid incident that she would not like to recount.
She said; ‘’ I got trapped in the traffi c on that fateful day and before I knew it, hoodlums descended on my car in their numbers and smashed my windscreen, side mirrors and what have you.
Th e next thing, they took my bag, phones and other valuables.
But unfortunately for them, I tracked my phone and I later got it a week later when they were eventually arrested by the SARs
ZIRTEC Estate Junction by airport road Th e road connecting ZIRTEC to airport road, the spot around the horticulturist section, has a history of criminal activities.
Motorists whose destinations are Jabi Park that usually ply that road would dare not park to fi x punctured tyres along that area for fear of the unknown.
Kuje Junction Motorists and residents have complained bitterly about hoodlums laying siege whenever they discovered that they are not within the prying eye of security operatives.
Th e junction which leads to the popular Kuje prison has somewhat become a terror haven.
Kuje junction-bound passengers from Lokoja and other parts of the Southern part of Nigeria now prefer to alight at Gwagwalada and access Kuje from there, instead of going through airport / Lugbe road.
Although the above list is not comprehensive as there are several dark spots within Abuja and FCT, but these are amongst the most notorious.
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As part of activities to mark the 2017 International Day of the Girl Child (IDGC), the National Center for Women Development in collaboration with UNICEF and other development partners held a One-Day Special Session with children in Abuja.
