The Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, is grappling with an escalating security crisis, with legal and public affairs analyst Frank Tietie and security analyst Saliu Dantata independently raising alarms over an unprecedented sense of insecurity among residents. Both experts highlight a significant disconnect between the authorities and the dire security realities on the ground, leading to widespread feelings of hopelessness regarding safety in the nation's capital.

Abuja’s security architecture, once considered robust, has sharply deteriorated. Dantata recalled a period during the Abacha era with coordinated joint security patrols involving various intelligence agencies and surveillance wagons, systems he asserts have now collapsed. Tietie echoed this sentiment, describing a "crisis situation" where there is no commensurate response from authorities, and lamenting the virtual collapse of the city's command and control system, noting that even the Force Headquarters appears to shut down at night with no visible surveillance.

Criminality, which was once confined to the outskirts and satellite towns like Mararaba, Karu, Bwari, and Ushafa, has now infiltrated the heart of the city. Tietie cited areas like Area 1 and Gwagwalada Junction as "beehives of criminality, lawlessness and recklessness." Dantata corroborated this, pointing out that miscreants now openly occupy public spaces, even sleeping near the Force Headquarters and engaging in robberies at night before disappearing into hiding spots near prominent central areas like Sheraton.

Several systemic failures contribute to this breakdown. Tietie argued that a "vacuum of law enforcement" has allowed criminal elements to flourish, likening the growing threat to the early stages of the Boko Haram insurgency. Both analysts criticize the effectiveness of security agencies, describing them as overwhelmed, under-equipped, poorly managed, and under-motivated. Tietie highlighted instances of policemen begging for money, questioning the integrity of policing, while Dantata expressed skepticism about official statistics on arrests and rescues, asserting that Nigerians do not feel safer, with insecurity affecting all strata of society, including top government officials, DSS directors, and retired generals.

The justice system also faces scrutiny, as Dantata noted that police efforts are undermined when arrested criminals are quickly seen walking free. Furthermore, the lack of proper vetting for private security personnel, with some even being criminals in disguise, and the porous entry and exit points into Abuja, which facilitate the easy movement of arms and criminals, exacerbate the crisis. Tietie also pointed out the FCT Minister's limited authority over security matters, unable to recruit, discipline, or redeploy police officers, contributing to a lack of accountability.

Both analysts link the rising insecurity to deep-seated socio-economic problems, particularly high unemployment and poverty. They highlighted the proliferation of shanties and makeshift settlements, often populated by unemployed individuals from other regions, which serve as hideouts and safe havens for criminals who exploit the stark contrast between their impoverished lives and the opulence around them.

Regarding solutions, Tietie voiced strong support for constitutional amendments to allow for state and community policing, advocating for decentralization to ensure local control and accountability. He recalled that the current president, as governor of Lagos, was a chief campaigner for state police. However, Tietie cautioned that state policing alone wouldn't solve the problem without broader leadership accountability and social reforms. Dantata, while acknowledging the need for strengthened community-based intelligence, expressed reservations about state police, questioning the capacity of state governors to fund and manage such forces given existing economic challenges.

While both analysts acknowledged some improvements, such as enhanced street lighting in parts of the city, they largely dismissed these efforts as cosmetic, arguing that lights alone do not deter crime; rather, sustained surveillance, intelligence gathering, and proactive policing are crucial. They urged the government to prioritize security as the fundamental basis of governance, emphasizing that without it, liberty and progress are unattainable. Dantata concluded that without improved surveillance, intelligence, and accountability, both the rich and the poor remain unsafe, particularly after midnight in Abuja.