Despite the reactivation and expansion of Operation Sweep, insecurity and criminal activities continue to affect Nigeria’s Federal Capital Territory (FCT), raising concerns among security experts who say the initiative lacks transparency, sustainability and public engagement.
Operation Sweep, a multi-agency task force created to curb crime, dismantle illegal settlements and improve public safety in Abuja, has been described as well-intentioned but limited in impact.
Kabir Adamu , Security analyst said the operation has not achieved its objectives largely because residents are not adequately informed or involved.
Speaking in an interview with BusinessDay in Abuja, Adamu said the mandate of Operation Sweep has not been clearly communicated to the public, making cooperation difficult.
According to him, “My understanding is that Operation Sweep is an ad-hoc task force with a specific mandate, but that mandate has not been made public,” he said. “As a resident, even if I want to support the initiative, I do not know how or where to do so. The public is not being carried along, and that is a major weakness.”
He said effective security interventions require clear objectives and defined channels through which residents can provide intelligence, feedback and support.
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Adamu criticised the reliance on demolishing shanties and arresting suspects, describing such actions as temporary solutions that fail to address the causes of crime.
“What Operation Sweep currently does is dismantle slums and make arrests, but it does not address the underlying issues,” he said. “Criminal activity is often displaced to other areas.”
He said a more sustainable approach would involve research into the causes of informal settlements, identifying individuals in need of social or economic support, and working with state governments to resettle or rehabilitate offenders. “If economic support, relocation or skills programmes are provided, it can reduce crime over time,” he added.
Adamu also raised concerns about the involvement of some dispatch riders in crimes such as phone theft and robbery.
He noted that while motorcycles are registered, the riders themselves are often not properly verified. “The motorcycle is not the criminal; the rider is,” he said. “Registration should include biometric identification of riders, not just the vehicles.”
He warned that weak regulation and poor oversight allow unverified riders to operate without detection.
According to Adamu, an effective security system depends on people, technology and processes, built around six pillars: detect, deny, delay, respond, recover and resilience.
He said detection systems must be accessible to all residents, noting that many people do not have emergency contact numbers for the FCT Command and Control Centre.
“A trader in a market or a resident in a rural area should know who to call in an emergency,” he said.
He also called for regular security drills across the six area councils, including rural communities, to test response capacity.
Chidi Omeje, an Abuja based security analyst, and Publisher and Editor‑in‑Chief of Security Digest, also been raised over the reactivation of Operation sweep a joint security initiative involving the military, police and other agencies.
Omeje warned that the operation would fail without political commitment, funding and coordination among agencies.
The expert said Operation Sweep was previously scaled down after crime reduced, but later revived following renewed threats such as kidnapping and robbery involving commercial motorcyclists. “Names and codes do not solve security problems,” the expert said. “What matters is commitment and coordinated action.”
He cited past security breaches, including the Kuje correctional facility attack, as evidence of earlier operational weaknesses.
Following rising security concerns, the FCT Administration announced new measures after an expanded meeting of the FCT Security Council chaired by Nyesom Wike, FCT Minister .
FCT Commissioner of Police, Miller Dantawaye, said Operation Sweep has been reorganised into four sectors covering Gwagwalada, Bwari and key corridors across the city centre, including Berger, Wuse, Karu, Mararaba, Karshi and Orozo. He said the minister approved logistics for joint deployments involving the police, military, DSS, NSCDC, FRSC, Immigration, Correctional Service and other agencies. According to him, intelligence gathering has been strengthened, patrols increased in border and vulnerable communities, and security enhanced around places of worship.
He also confirmed that several “one chance” robbery syndicates have been arrested.
Amid concerns over dispatch riders, the Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST) has issued guidelines for State Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) courier and dispatch licences to regulate the sector.
NIPOST said operators must obtain licences through its Courier Licence Regulatory Department, with requirements including corporate registration documents, a minimum fleet of five motorcycles, tax clearance, insurance coverage and verification of a physical office.
The agency said compliance with the framework is necessary to improve accountability and security.
Experts agree that while the reactivation of Operation Sweep shows renewed attention to insecurity in Abuja, crime will persist unless authorities adopt transparent, inclusive and sustainable strategies.
Addressing root causes, strengthening regulation, using technology and involving residents remain critical to achieving lasting security in the FCT.
