By Stanley Onyekwere
In the wake of the rising abductions and other insecurity challenges rocking some parts of Abuja, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, yesterday met with stakeholders in Bwari Area Council, where he condoled the people, and solicited for support for security agencies working to curtail the menace.
Wike made this point at a town hall meeting with residents in the Bwari Area Council of the FCT, following reports of kidnapping for ransom and killing in the territory, within the past week.
The meeting was attended by former Senator representing the FCT, Philip Aduda, the Etsu-Bwari and Sarkin-bwari, and the Chairman of the Bwari Area Council, John Gabaya.
The Minister reiterated that security is one of the key priorities of Mr. President’s administration. Yesterday, Mr. President held a high-level security meeting, which include all the Service Chiefs, the Minister of Defence and my humble self because of recent attacks, particularly in Bwari.
“Security is one of the key priorities that Mr. President’s renewed hope agenda will want to face squarely. It’s no longer going to be business as usual. Everything has to be done to protect lives and properties. Without protection of lives and properties, then we have no business to be in government.
“My coming here today is to assure you that we are very serious. To all those criminals and bandits, enough is enough. We will do everything within our powers to make sure that we do not allow this to happen again.
“From time to time, we will come and interact with you and know what your peculiar problems are. We will not just sit in the city.
“All we require from you is your support. Everybody has a role to play, Information is key. Yesterday, when we had our security meeting, the FCT security meeting, all the Area Council Chairmen were there, and we agreed on certain things. I am sure that the security agencies would have started.
“We encourage the vigilantes, we encourage the hunters, and we are also going to encourage the Chairmen, by giving you support. He has asked for some vehicles; we will give you support. Without information, there is nothing we can do, and that is where you have to play a key role.
“Traditional institutions, you have a role to play, community leaders, you have a role to play, because, by information, you will help the security operatives to be proactive and take control before anything happens.
“And so, in the next few days, you will see the actions of the security agencies to make sure that this kidnapping is brought to a halt.”
He continued: “So, I condone with you, I sympathise with you. For the deaths of some of our people, for the kidnap of some of our people.
“As I speak to you here, you never can tell. Some of their informants may be here. I do not care who you are, I don’t care who you are. I am the Minister of the FCT, those who know my track record know. You won’t sleep again. Informants, you will not sleep again. I do not intend to give you details of what the security agencies are going to do, that is left for us.
“ It’s just to assure you that you are not alone. I don’t want to tell the Chairman to come and tell you, I said I want to see you face to face so that you will also know that we are also serious. Crying will not solve the problem, Wike will not solve the problem. What will solve the problem is your support to the security agencies.
“God will continue to protect. We are doing everything to see that those who have been kidnapped are released.”
While appealing to the people to stop the practice of crowd-funding from the public to enable them pay ransom to kidnappers, the Minister said: “Yes, we know it is painful, but we cannot be encouraging kidnappers.
“We have to stop this idea of going to the radio to say we are ready to raise money. When you do that, those criminals are happy. They are happy when the people that are concerned, you people want to raise money.
“ I know it is painful that your wife, your children, and your husband have been kidnapped. All we want is to stop it, not to encourage it, journalists should also help us, we need the support of everybody. The kind of news you write also will encourage them.”
Earlier in his remarks, Chairman, Bwari Area Council, John Gabaya thanked the FCT Minister for the timely visit and for the immense support of the FCT Administration to the Council and disclosed efforts of his council in the fight against kidnappings and banditry which include the use of local vigilantes and increased patrol into vulnerable areas.
Gabaya, who noted that the difficult terrain of the area made the addressing the security issues more challenging, however, pledged that the Council will continue to do its best to ensure the safety of lives and properties.
On his part, the Etsu Bwari HRH Ibrahim Yaro and the Sarkin Bwari HRH Awwal Ijakoro, acknowledged the support of the FCT Administration as well as the efforts of the security agencies and the Bwari Area Council in tackling the security challenges.
Also present at the event were members of the FCT Security Committee, former FCT Senator, Phillip Aduda, Community and religious leaders, members of the Bwari vigilante outfit among others.
