Kuje community decries insecurity, bad road

Residents of Pegi community in Kuje Area Council, Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have decried the insecurity and bad road bedeviling the area.

The residents told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) shortly after a townhall meeting in Kuje that security challenge in the community was alarming.

They, however, appealed to the FCT administration, Kuje Area Council and other relevant authorities to quickly mitigate insecurity and other developmental issues that have subjected them to daily unpalatable experiences.

In recent times, criminal elements have been having free reign, kidnapping and robbing the residents.

This situation had prompted the residents to appeal to the authorities to come to their aid to sanitize the community.

The Chairman, Pegi Community Development Association (PECDA), Mr Aderibigbe Taiwo, described the insecurity situation as worrisome.

He said that over five persons were kidnapped at the community on Saturday and Sunday last week.

Taiwo said among those kidnapped was a staff of the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), Mr Elder Geoffrey and one Hassan Musa.

“We deemed it fit to cry out to the government to come to our assistance, as we can no longer help ourselves.

“We pay our taxes, and there is no presence of government within our locality.

“Many times, kidnapers and armed robbers invade our community to rob and matched most of our residents, that is why we are looking for a lasting solution from the government,” he said.

Mr Zakari Sabo, another resident said the formation of vigilance groups by the residents of various streets was yet to deter the daily attacks by kidnappers and armed robbers, who sometimes start their operations early.

Sabo decried the insecurity in the community in the last two years, adding that some members of the community were kidnapped and ransom paid by the community and families of the victims.

“We believe that the government can act upon our appeal to curtail the situation, because they have been doing so in many communities, so such should be replicated in our community,” he said.

Another resident, Mrs Sarah Diza, complained that the community was a relocation settlement by the FCDA, duly signed inaugurated to exist, but was yet to have a befitting road network.

She urged the government to come to their aid by equipping and increasing the police personnel in the area.