The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has dismissed claims suggesting the presence of recurring banditry in Abuja, insisting that the nation’s capital remains largely secure despite isolated criminal incidents.

Speaking on Monday during an inspection of ongoing infrastructure projects across the city, Wike acknowledged that while crime exists, reports portraying Abuja as a hotspot for banditry are exaggerated and misleading.

According to the minister, no major city in the world is entirely free of crime, stressing that occasional incidents should not be misinterpreted as widespread insecurity. He emphasized that the situation in Abuja does not amount to banditry but rather isolated cases of criminal activities such as kidnapping.

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“I have always said, we only hear one incident but nobody has said we have been able to curb or reduce this,” Wike stated, defending the efforts of security agencies operating within the capital.

He maintained that Abuja remains a safe environment, attributing this to the proactive measures being implemented by law enforcement authorities. While referencing a previous kidnapping incident in Bwari, the minister noted that all victims were successfully rescued, demonstrating the effectiveness of security responses.

“I don’t believe there is banditry in Abuja. But again, it is a city where people want to go and do all kinds of things—kidnapping and others. So, it will be difficult for anybody to say that in a city you don’t have one form of crime or another,” he explained.

Wike further stressed that the focus should be on how seriously security agencies respond to threats rather than amplifying isolated incidents. He praised their commitment, describing their performance as commendable and deserving of greater public recognition.

The minister urged residents and stakeholders to support security agencies rather than dwell solely on negative narratives. According to him, many successful operations that prevent crimes often go unnoticed, while single incidents receive disproportionate attention.

“We do not need to always advertise one crime when they have stopped about 50 crimes. Nobody has come out to commend the security agencies or the administration for reducing crime,” he added.

Wike called for a shift in public perception, encouraging citizens to acknowledge improvements in security and cooperate with authorities to sustain peace in the capital. He reiterated that continued collaboration between residents and security agencies is essential in maintaining law and order.

The minister’s remarks come amid ongoing public discussions about safety in Abuja and surrounding communities. His position underscores the administration’s confidence in current security strategies and its commitment to ensuring the protection of lives and property.

As the Federal Capital Territory continues to expand and attract more residents, officials say strengthening security frameworks remains a top priority, with authorities pledging to build on existing gains and further reduce criminal activities across the city.