Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has convened an emergency security meeting in response to the escalating security challenges in the nation’s capital.
Gunmen have been brazenly invading communities, forcibly entering people’s homes, and abducting residents from their residences.
One of the incidents, which heightened tension was the reported deaths of Nabeeha Al-Kadriyar, who was kidnapped along with 22 others in the Bwari Area of the FCT, and 13-year-old Folasade Ariyo, who was abducted alongside eleven others, including three of her siblings and their mother at the Sagwari Estate Layout in Dutse-Alhaji Area of Abuja.
Following the killing of Ariyo and two others, the kidnappers increased their ransom demand from N60 million to N700 million for the remaining victims. This led Mr. Oladosu Ariyo, the father of the late Folashade, to seek assistance from the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA).
The minister, while speaking at the meeting, assured FCT residents of their safety, stressing that the government is actively supporting security forces with all necessary resources to combat insecurity.
Among those in attendance are heads of security agencies in the FCT, top officials of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), council chairmen as well as traditional rulers.
Wike who warned the area council chairmen to be alive to their responsibility at the local levels, stressed the need for the security apparatus to re stratigise and redouble their efforts to tame insecurity in the territory.
“All of us are aware of the security situation in the FCT, particularly Bwari and some other areas that have witnessed security challenges. Our concern is that for the FCT that has virtually every Nigerian, we owe a duty to make sure that this place is safe, to do all we can, and we assure Nigerians who reside here, that there is no need for panic.
“We are taking every step to make sure that those challenges are things that we must have to resolve. So, this meeting is practically to look into such challenges and see how we are able to resolve the problems. And that is why we invited all the council chairmen, because they also have a responsibility in their various area councils.
“So, we will put our heads together and come up with solutions. So, for the press, it is just for you to know that we are not sleeping, security agencies are also not sleeping. We will provide every support that they require in order to allay the fears of the citizens”, he said.
Wike also stated that he will not be happy to receive news of area council chairmen abdicating responsibilities and travelling, especially while there were security challenges in their various councils.
“This time around, we will not be happy where area council chairmen will abdicate their responsibility and travel out. We have gotten reports that council chairmen travel anytime, and then if anything happens, of course, they will not call anybody’s name, they will call the FCT Minister.
“However, we cannot fold our hands, we have invited them to a meeting this afternoon to see how we can also resolve the problem”, the Minister said.
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