Insecurity: Minister calls for deployment of more Police personnel to FCT

By Stanley Onyekwere

In order to boost security of lives and property in Abuja, the nation’s capital city, the Minister of the FCT, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello has called for the deployment of more police personnel to the Federal Capital Territory.

Bello made this appeal when he paid a courtesy and appreciation visit to the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Usman Alkali Baba, at the Force Headquarters in Abuja.

Accompanied by some senior members of staff of the FCTA, the Minister said  the city of Abuja had expanded over the years, and with it the population and inevitably an increase in crime and criminality.

While thanking the Police Force for the near elimination of the “one chance” crime which hitherto was synonymous with the FCT, he asked for the deployment of more personnel and equipment such as vehicles and advanced crowd control equipment.

He also informed the IGP that the FCT has keyed into the community policing policy of the government and has profiled able bodied men and women suitable for the task of community policing.

He equally stressed the need for an increase in the number of volunteers allotted to the FCT.

While thanking the IGP for the creation of a Police Division at Tungan Maje an FCT community bordering Niger State, Bello decried a noticeable trend whereby non-residents of the FCT will come into the city for public demonstrations and in the process, disrupt the peace of the city, mainly for publicity purposes.

According to the Minister, residents of the FCT are peaceful, law abiding citizens and there is the need to protect them and their means of livelihood.

Bello also informed the IGP that the various Commissioners of Police posted to the FCT have been the main drivers of the FCT Security Committee and pledged the continuous support of the FCT Administration to the Nigerian Police Force.

In his response, the Inspector General of Police, extended his appreciation to the FCT Administration for the support it has given to the FCT Police Command over the years and promised the provision of needed equipment to the Command to enhance the fight against crime and criminality in the Territory.

The IGP also informed the FCT Minister that the Police Force was ready to train the Community Policing Volunteers from the FCT at the Administration’s expense and also called for synergy between the Minister and governors of states bordering the FCT for effective tackling of crimes that cut across the states.

Present at the courtesy visit were the Permanent Secretary, FCTA, Mr Olusade Adesola, the Director, Human Resources Management of the FCTA, Dr. Bashir Mohammed and the Director, Department of Security Services, Mr. Adamu Gwary amongst other officials of the FCTA and the Nigeria Police.