As security forces ramp up Operation Sweep Abuja, a targeted crackdown on criminal elements across Nigeria’s capital, reports indicate that large groups of hoodlums are relocating to the Kurudu–Orozo axis in a bid to escape arrest and surveillance.
The intensified operation, spearheaded by the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Command, has led to dozens of arrests and the dismantling of several known criminal hideouts in central Abuja. However, security analysts warn that the pressure is causing a spillover effect, pushing the syndicates toward less-patrolled suburban communities.
Residents of Kurudu, Orozo, and surrounding settlements have raised alarm over a noticeable uptick in suspicious activity, petty theft, and nighttime disturbances. Community leaders are now calling on law enforcement agencies to extend their presence to these vulnerable areas before criminal gangs establish new strongholds.
Speaking on the development, FCT Police Public Relations Officer, SP Josephine Adeh, confirmed that intelligence reports indicate a migration of criminal groups into satellite towns. She assured residents that surveillance and patrol operations would be expanded to cover high-risk zones, including Kurudu and Orozo.
“Operation Sweep is a comprehensive effort. We are aware of the movement patterns and are adjusting our strategies accordingly,” she stated.
Meanwhile, the FCT Administration has urged local vigilante groups and residents to remain vigilant, report suspicious individuals, and support ongoing security initiatives to ensure lasting peace across the territory.
As Operation Sweep continues to gain momentum in Abuja’s core districts, the focus must now shift toward preventing criminal regrouping in outlying areas, ensuring that progress in urban security is not undone by suburban vulnerabilities.
