The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barrister Nyesom Wike has assured residents that the security agencies are not sleeping over security challenges in the territory. He urged the people not to panic.
On Tuesday, the minister summoned an emergency closed-door meeting with heads of security agencies in the FCT, as well as Chairmen of the six Area Councils
Public outcry had trailed reports of the deaths of Nabeeha Al-Kadriyar, who was recently kidnapped along with 22 others in the Bwari Area of the FCT, and 13-year-old Folasade Ariyo, who was kidnapped alongside eleven others, among whom were 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 proceeded to demand N700 million in ransom for the rest of the victims, after initially demanding N60 million, following which her father, Mr. Oladosu Ariyo, solicited help from the Nigerian Bar Association.
Addressing the media before the closed-door meeting, Wike said he and the Area Council Chairmen would join heads together, to proffer solutions to the security challenges in the country, noting that they owed a duty to make sure Abuja was safe.
Wike said: “All of us are aware of the security situation in the Federal Capital Territory, particularly Bwari and some other areas that have witnessed security challenges.
“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 can 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 to allay the fears of the citizens”.
He also said that he would 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 when 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.
Source: The PUNCH
