Anxiety in Abuja As Influx Of Bandits, Terrorists To Rugga Nasarawa State Threatens FCT Border/Satellite Towns Of Nyanya, Karu, Others

There is anxiety among residents of Abuja satellite communities of Karshai, Orozo, Kurudu, Jikwoyi, Karu and Nyanya withing the Federal capital Territory (FCT) Abuja following the influx of suspected bandits and terrorists at border communities of Rugga, Madaki, Aso Kasa and Mararaba, Nasarawa State.

The bandits and terrorists have been sighted by locals alighting from different vehicles.

It is more disturbing because Mararaba is the most densely populated suburb on the outskirts of the nation’s capital and shares close proximity and cultural ties to Abuja. It plays a central role as commuter town for those working in Abuja though it is officially part of Karu Local Government Area in Nasarawa State. Extremely congested, it is also known for its energetic atmosphere, lively markets, and affordable housing.

Sources said that residents of the Nasarawa communities have already alerted security forces “for possible action.”

Another source noted that “this migration of the bandits and terrorists may not be unconnected to the ongoing onslaught/kinetic actions by security operatives on Niger and Kwara States. And as they arrive, their main targets for settlements are usually public places such as schools, police stations, markets, banks and any available space with unoccupied buildings.”

A resident said “quick action is required to flush them out from Rugga as the area shares boundaries with boarding educational institutions like the Government Science and Technical College, Orozo; Government Secondary School, Karshi. Even before their arrival, the schools have been on alert.

“Now, we feel they are being threatened the more and needs to be affected. It will help if the Police can deploy to secure the schools and the general area while sustaining additional surveillance and intelligence in the area.”