Residents cry for help as gang terrorises Abuja communities, police claim arrests

Residents in communities under the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have been living in fear for months due to attacks by a notorious group nicknamed the ’40 Boys Gang’.

The most recent incident occurred on Friday, September 13, in Tasha 2 at about 1:30 a.m., with the assailants numbering over 60.
The Guardian learnt that many residents of Tasha 2, including a police officer, were attacked and injured, while others who managed to escape lost their belongings.

A visit by The Guardian to the Tasha 2 community revealed vandalised vehicles and houses.

Most victims are currently receiving treatment at Gateway Hospital, adjacent to Government Secondary School (GSS), Tasha 2.

The group has attacked communities including Gydna (popularly known as Akaraka), Tasha 1, Idu (where government offices, including NASENI, are located), Agwan-Shawu, and Jiwa.

A vehicle mechanic, who identified himself as Onoja, said members of the gang forcefully took his belongings and those of his wife.

Another resident, Nuhu Umar, a manager at a filling station in one of the communities, said his belongings and those of his entire household were taken by the gang. He called for government intervention to end the series of attacks.

Residents expressed concern over the inability of the police to react or deploy appropriate resources to end the assaults on poor citizens.

The Chief of Tasha 1, Japheth Akawu, who identified insecurity as a global challenge, expressed sadness over the series of attacks on communities in AMAC and called for collaboration with the federal government to curb the menace.

He said: “Security is the greatest challenge in Nigeria, and my community is experiencing this firsthand. The attack was very bad; it was just unfortunate that they came around when the security forces we have, like the vigilantes, were not able to cope with them. They were overpowered, and that’s why we have so many casualties.

“I want the government to address this challenge, increase the number of police officers, and increase the security vote. Let’s have those with arms who will guard our communities. Some of these vigilante groups have no weapons. They go out, they sacrifice themselves without being paid anything; the amount of money contributed from the community to give to them is not enough. Even when we call on the police, they are short of personnel.

“The manpower is not there, and sometimes the response is very slow because they may only have one vehicle at a station, and they will be called by other communities also for reinforcement, and there’s no way to meet up.”

The Guardian could not reach the FCT police boss for comment as the newly appointed CP, Peter Opara, had yet to resume duty.

However, FCT police spokesperson, SP Josephine Adeh, confirmed the development, saying: “The police in Gwagwa division responded and made some arrests.” She pledged to provide more details later.