By Stanley Onyekwere
In the wake of the widening insecurity in Abuja, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barrister Nyesom Wike has canvassed for support of traditional rulers, to effectively tackle the menace.
Wike asserted this during his maiden meeting with the FCT Council of chiefs which the Six Area Councils chairmen were also in attendance on Wednesday.
While acknowledging that traditional institutions have significance role to play in supporting government, the Minister opined that with synergy the administration will meet up with its outlined plans to win the fight against criminals in the Territory .
He noted that despite the insecurity being experienced mostly in Bwari, Kuje and Kwali Area Councils, FCT Administration was not sleeping over the challenge.
He added any threat to the Federal Capital will affect the country at large.
He however, assured the monarchs that president Bola Tinubu has keen interest in ending insecurity in the territory, and has been giving series of approvals to ensure that security agencies are fully equipped.
He therefore called on the Area Councils chairmen to work in synergy with the traditional rulers in profiling members of the vigilance groups.
He also reminded the monarchs on the need to support in the demolishing of all shanties in their domains, where criminals allegedly hide to perpetrate crime.
According to him: “There is need for synergy in the fight against insecurity, as traditional rulers your support is needed to win the fight. We have asked all the Area Councils to set up vigilance teams and we believe that those vigilance teams won’t be the ones perpetrating the crimes.
“ Therefore, they must be profiled so that they are known. Who are they? Are they from our communities? So that we won’t say we want to solve a problem and then cause another one. They (chairmen) will have to do that with you (traditional rulers).
“We thought that there is a need to meet with you and the council chairmen so that we can work in synergy and be on the same page. If there are things you think we should do too, we are willing to partner with you so that the challenges we are facing now will be a thing of the past.
“You must work hard because insecurity is not written on anybody’s face. Anyone can be a victim and that is why we must do everything possible to ensure that our subjects are not victims of these criminals.”
On his part, the chairman FCT Council of chiefs and Ona of Abaji, Yunusa Adamu, who responded on behalf of other monarchs, pledged the council’s support to the minister.
Adamu encouraged Wike to continue with his good work in the FCT, as they are happy with him, and will continue to support the FCT Administration under his watch.
