FEATURE: Under Abuja Bridges, Homelessness And Insecurity Converge

Stephen Alex had barely returned to Abuja after spending eight months on the Medium Security Custodial Centre, Keffi, Nasarawa State, when he discovered himself again on the similar place the place he had taken refuge earlier than his arrest.

On Friday, November 6, Alex returned to the Wuse Market bridge, close to Cachez Garden, not as a result of he had discovered a brand new alternative within the nation’s capital, however as a result of he couldn’t afford the journey again to his hometown in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State.

With no house in Abuja and no cash for transport, the bridge supplied him someplace acquainted to start out once more.

Speaking to THE WHISTLER, Alex mentioned he was arrested after he was caught smoking, and he spent eight months in custody.

His return to the realm additionally introduced him again into an atmosphere the place, in keeping with him, drug consumption and police raids have been recurring options.

“They do drugs and smoke under here. Police come time to time to raid here. Most times, they arrest people,” Alex mentioned.

Alex, who sleeps in entrance of a plaza in Wuse, survives by serving to clients find gadgets out there. He earns commissions from merchants at any time when he directs patrons to their retailers.

He described the realm as a drug hub, largely within the early hours of the morning, when individuals unfamiliar with the situation might discover it tough to method these concerned within the commerce or perceive how they impart.

Meanwhile, actions beneath the bridges prolong past offering shelter to individuals with out properties.

Some have develop into casual settlements or makeshift enterprise and gathering locations. In others, drug consumption is widespread. People accustomed to the areas allege that thieves use the bridges and adjoining roads as hiding locations and escape routes after attacking commuters.

THE WHISTLER‘s reporter visited among the bridges throughout the Federal Capital Territory to watch among the actions.

At the Setraco flyover, components of the house beneath the bridge have been put to totally different makes use of. A refuse dump occupies one part, whereas a makeshift soccer pitch has been carved out close by. Abandoned industrial water pipes additionally lie across the space, the place individuals with out shelter have been seen sleeping.

At the Efab bridge alongside the Kubwa Expressway, individuals with out lodging have been seen utilizing the house as shelter.

At the Area 11 intersection, shortly earlier than Gimliya Junction and round Rochas Foundation, the house beneath the bridge serves functions past offering shelter for individuals with out properties.

A passerby, Michael Ugwu, who mentioned he was accustomed to the realm, described it as a settlement with its personal casual economic system, together with carpentry workshops and makeshift eating places.

“They have a carpentry shop. They have a restaurant. There at night is a beehive of activities where women of easy virtues sometimes take their clients to,” Ugwu instructed THE WHISTLER.

He added that cops sometimes raid the realm, whereas petty theft incidents have additionally been reported across the location.

The safety considerations are extra pronounced across the bridge close to the Bureau de Change space in Zone 4.

A resident accustomed to the situation described it as one of many extra infamous spots the place thieves typically goal motorists and pedestrians earlier than escaping beneath the bridge.

According to him, criminals benefit from moments when motorists wind down their home windows to grab telephones and different valuables earlier than escaping via the adjoining roads.

A younger man in his early twenties, who spoke on situation of anonymity, mentioned the issue was not confined to the bridge.

He recognized the realm round Bolingo Hotel as one other location the place individuals allegedly exploit the community of intersections and adjoining roads to flee after snatching valuables.

He mentioned, “The Bolingo axis is particularly concerning because of its connection to routes used by commuters going towards Lugbe.”

He added that the interconnected roads and areas beneath the bridge function escape routes, whereas additionally attracting “one-chance” robbers.

In January 2024, the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) commenced raids on bridges, subways and different places recognized as prison hideouts throughout the Central Business District, Maitama and Wuse.