In a recent incident that has shaken the nation’s capital, a victim of a bandit attack in an estate in Abuja initially mistook the event for a skit before realizing the gravity of the situation and fleeing for safety.
This was revealed by Nigerian politician and former senator, Shehu Sani, in a statement shared on his verified Twitter account.
Sani, known for his candid commentary on national issues, highlighted the bizarre reaction of one of the victims. According to the victim, upon hearing the commotion caused by the armed bandits, he assumed it was a staged performance or a skit, something that has become quite popular in Nigeria’s growing entertainment and social media space. It was only after the attackers began to act violently that the victim realized the danger and “picked race” to escape.
The incident underscores the growing insecurity in parts of Nigeria, including the Federal Capital Territory, which was previously considered a relatively safe zone. The fact that a resident could initially believe an attack was a mere act of entertainment speaks volumes about the current societal dynamics, where the lines between reality and fiction are sometimes blurred due to the prevalence of dramatic skits and social media content.
Sani’s tweet reflects the tragic irony of the situation, where the security challenges Nigeria faces have become so severe that even the capital is not immune. The bandit attacks, which have become more frequent, continue to spread fear across communities. Calls for the government to address these security lapses and ensure the safety of its citizens are growing louder, as Abuja residents now live with an increasing sense of vulnerability.