FCT: When Fear Becomes Pyakasa’s Evening Bell
By Pelemo Gbolahan Segun
As dusk settles over Pyakasa, a quiet but troubling ritual unfolds. Parents hurriedly call their children indoors, traders shut their shops earlier than planned, and commuters quicken their pace through dimly lit streets. The silence that follows is not the natural end of a busy day; it is the sound of a community retreating from fear.
Pyakasa, located along the Airport Road corridor in the Lugbe district of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has grown rapidly in recent years, attracting civil servants, artisans, entrepreneurs and young families seeking affordable housing close to Abuja’s city centre. Yet, despite its strategic location within Nigeria’s capital, the community has increasingly become associated with insecurity rather than opportunity.
For many residents, going out after sunset is no longer routine but a calculated risk. What should be ordinary activities, returning from work, visiting neighbours or running evening errands, have become exercises in vigilance. Fear has quietly imposed an unofficial curfew, altering daily life and weakening the sense of community that once defined the neighbourhood.
The concerns of residents are not without basis. Over the years, Pyakasa and neighbouring communities along the Airport Road axis have witnessed repeated incidents of kidnapping, armed robbery and the activities of the notorious “one-chance” criminal syndicates. These criminal groups disguise themselves as commercial transport operators, lure unsuspecting passengers into their vehicles, and rob, assault or abduct them. Such attacks have made public transportation, once a symbol of convenience, a source of anxiety for many commuters.
One development that highlighted both the progress and limitations of security efforts was the arrest of seven suspected kidnappers during a police operation in Pyakasa. Security operatives reportedly recovered about ₦9 million believed to be ransom proceeds. While the operation demonstrated that law enforcement agencies can disrupt criminal networks, it also exposed a disturbing reality: organised criminal groups had allegedly established operations within a residential community located only a short distance from the seat of the Federal Government.
The persistence of these crimes raises important questions about urban security in rapidly expanding settlements. Population growth in communities like Pyakasa has often outpaced the provision of essential infrastructure and security services. New residential estates continue to emerge, yet policing, street lighting, road networks and surveillance systems have not expanded at the same pace. Criminals frequently exploit these gaps, particularly in poorly lit areas where visibility is limited and emergency response may be delayed.
Poor street lighting remains one of the most visible contributors to residents’ insecurity. Large sections of roads and footpaths become enveloped in darkness each evening, creating ideal conditions for criminal activities. International experience has consistently shown that well-lit public spaces discourage crime, improve visibility and increase public confidence. Investing in reliable solar-powered streetlights across major roads, junctions and residential streets would therefore represent both a security intervention and an infrastructure upgrade.
However, physical infrastructure alone cannot solve the problem. Visible and proactive policing remains essential. Establishing a permanent police outpost within Pyakasa, supported by regular patrols and faster emergency response, would significantly strengthen public confidence while improving intelligence gathering and rapid intervention.
The fight against “one-chance” syndicates also demands a more coordinated approach. Commercial transport operators along the Airport Road corridor should undergo stricter registration and verification, while vehicles should carry clearly visible identification numbers that passengers can easily recognise. Greater collaboration among transport unions, security agencies and regulatory authorities would make it more difficult for criminal operators to infiltrate the transport system.
Technology should equally become part of the security architecture. Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) cameras positioned at strategic intersections, bus stops and major entry points into the community can serve as both a deterrent and an investigative tool. Modern surveillance systems have become indispensable components of urban policing across many cities worldwide and should no longer be viewed as a luxury.
Community participation is another indispensable pillar of effective security. Local vigilante groups have continued to complement the efforts of formal security agencies, often operating with limited resources and considerable personal risk. Providing them with basic training, communication equipment and structured collaboration with the police would enhance their effectiveness while ensuring accountability and respect for the rule of law.
At the same time, residents themselves must remain vigilant. Strong neighbourhood associations, prompt reporting of suspicious activities and cooperation with law enforcement agencies can significantly improve community resilience against crime. Sustainable security is rarely achieved through government action alone; it depends on active partnerships between citizens and institutions.
Nevertheless, addressing insecurity requires looking beyond policing. Crime often flourishes where unemployment, poor infrastructure and social exclusion persist. Investments in roads, drainage, education, vocational training and youth empowerment can reduce the social conditions that make criminality attractive to vulnerable young people. A safer Pyakasa ultimately depends on creating an environment where legitimate opportunities outweigh the lure of crime.
The people of Pyakasa are not demanding extraordinary privileges. They seek the same guarantee every citizen deserves: the freedom to move without fear, conduct business safely and allow their children to grow up in secure surroundings. Families should not feel compelled to end their day before sunset because darkness has become synonymous with danger.
A safer Pyakasa is achievable, but it requires sustained commitment from government, security agencies, community leaders and residents alike. Until decisive action is taken, the setting sun will continue to signal not the close of another ordinary day, but the beginning of another anxious night. For a community situated at the doorstep of Nigeria’s capital, that is a reality that should never become normal.
Pelemo Gbolahan Segun is a 200-level student in the Department of Development and Strategic Communication, University of Abuja.
