In a bid to enhance security and combat rising kidnappings in the nation’s capital city, the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has announced that 11 new police stations are nearing completion across the territory’s area councils.
The assurance came during an inspection tour of the projects led by the director of the FCT Department of Security Services, Adamu Gwary, yesterday.
The initiative, personally championed by FCT minister, Nyesom Wike, aims to bring security closer to the grassroots, particularly in vulnerable areas like Abaji, Kwali, and Bwari area councils that have suffered repeated criminal incursions.
During a visit to project sites, our correspondent observed advanced construction work at stations in Tukashara, Saburi, Bako, Yaba, Giri, and Ushafa.
At the Saburi site in the Abuja Municipal Area Council, finishing touches were being applied to a comprehensive complex featuring administrative blocks and residential quarters.
The director of Security Services at the FCTA, confirmed the projects are a cornerstone of the minister’s grassroots security plan.
“When the Honourable Minister assumed office, he directed that all abandoned or underused town halls in the area councils should be converted into functional police stations.
“The idea is to take policing closer to the people, especially in vulnerable and remote communities where response time is slow,” he explained.
Gwary emphasising that the integrated residential quarters will ensure officers are always on hand.
“The concept is to end the era where officers live far away from their posts. Now, there will always be personnel on ground to respond to emergencies at any hour,” he said.
The new stations adhere to a national prototype approved by the Inspector General of Police, a standard the FCT minister specifically requested.
“If you go to the Police Resource Centre, you will find the same standard being replicated. What we have done is align the FCT projects with this national standard,” Gwary added.
At the nearly complete Saburi station, Project Engineer Ahmed Yahaya said, “We have completed the electrical and plumbing works, and we’re currently on the finishing fittings. By tomorrow, we’ll commence industrial cleaning and in two days’ time, we should begin painting.”
In Yaba, a strategic boundary community sharing boundaries with Niger State, Site Engineer Engr. Ayinde Adewale highlighted the project’s critical importance.
“With the level of funding support we’re getting from the FCT Administration, we have no doubt about meeting the November deadline,” Adewale said.
He noted that the location is a major transit point, making the new station “a crucial deterrent against criminal infiltration.”
The enhanced security presence has already begun to lift the spirits of local residents, who endured months of fear.
“People will now come in freely to buy and sell farm produce because they know security is improving,” shared Musa Yakubu, a farmer in Yaba.
Also, a petty trader Ibrahim Danladi added, “The fear that kept many from staying out late is gradually easing. Now we can begin to feel safer again.”
