“Saburi Under Siege: Armed Robbers Strike Again, Police Fail to Respond Promptly”

The residents of Saburi, a residential district in the DeiDei area of Abuja, are living in constant fear after a series of armed robbery attacks in recent weeks. The attacks, which have occurred multiple times since the beginning of January 2025, have left the community shaken. Residents allege that the hoodlums use scavengers to survey the area before carrying out their strikes.

According to residents, the gunmen, often masked, have targeted various parts of the district, including Ikejani Street, Osumeayi Street, Sani Abacha Lane, and the Saburi area. The first major attack took place during the crossover night of December 31, 2024, as residents returned from church services. Since then, the gunmen have attacked at least three times, making off with millions of Naira in valuables and cash.

A particularly harrowing incident occurred when the gunmen attacked the home of a security guard, Sunday Ogbor. Ogbor described how the attackers attempted to kill him by slashing his face with a knife. “They cut me from my ear to my other ear, leaving me for dead,” Ogbor recalled, revealing that he could no longer see properly following the attack. Despite the severe injuries, he was later rushed to the hospital by passersby.

Residents like Gift Udago and Princess Amaka Chijioke also shared their traumatic experiences. Udago recalled how more than 30 armed men broke into his home, smashing windows, doors, and threatening him and his tenants at gunpoint. Chijioke revealed that the gunmen, who had prior knowledge of her bank withdrawal, threatened to kill her son and stole large sums of money from her home.

The lack of a strong police response has left residents frustrated and fearful. Despite repeated calls for help, police officers in the area often claim that the attacks fall outside their jurisdiction. One resident mentioned that it often takes police officers up to an hour to arrive at the scene, by which time the robbers have already fled. The situation has led residents to take matters into their own hands, with some now patrolling the streets at night to safeguard their homes.

“There is no strong police presence here. This is the fifth time we’ve been attacked, and no one has been arrested,” said Vice Chairman of the Saburi Residential District, Engr Gerald Aziegbe. Similarly, Chairman of the 4-Bedroom Area of Saburi, Anyanwu Ugonna, lamented the police’s refusal to respond promptly to distress calls, noting that the Gwagwa Police Station, despite being closer, only arrived hours after the robbers had left.

Ugonna also pointed out that the robbers often scout the area beforehand, disguising themselves as scavengers to gather information. The community’s efforts to prevent the thieves from operating, including banning refuse dumping, have not been enough to deter the criminals.

Residents are now calling on the government to intervene, citing the escalating attacks and the growing fear for their safety. They are demanding a stronger police presence and a more effective response to these violent robberies.

Efforts to reach the Police Public Relations Officer of the FCT Command, Josephine Adeh, for a statement on the matter were unsuccessful, as she did not respond to calls or messages at the time of filing this report.