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reads riot act to FCT Council Chairmen
By Stanley Onyekwere
In the wake of the rising insecurity in Abuja, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has declared that there is no need to panic, as FCT Administration, security agencies and other stakeholders are working together to resolved the problem, they owed a duty to make sure Abuja was safe.
Wike, who asserted this point yesterday, during an emergency security meeting with Chairmen of FCT six Area Councils and heads of security agencies in the Territory, assured that they are taking every step to make sure that those challenges are things that they must have to resolve.
He 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.
“Our concern is that for the Federal Capital Territory that has virtually every Nigerian, we owe a duty to make sure that this place is safe, to do all we can, and we assure Nigerians who reside here, that there is no need for panic.
“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 are able to 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 in order to allay the fears of the citizens.”
He however, charged Area Councils Chairmen to desist from frequently travelling out, thereby abdicating their responsibility
“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.
“This time around, we will not be happy where Area Council Chairmen will abdicate their responsibility and travel out.
PeoplesDaily reports that the security meeting also had in attendance FCT Minister of State, Dr Mariya Mahmoud, Executive Secretary of the FCDA, Engr. Shehu Hadi Ahmed, the Director, Department of Security Services, Mr Adamu Gwary.
It could be recalled that public outcry have continued trailing reports of the murder of Nabeeha Al-Kadriyar, who was kidnapped along with 22 others, as well as 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, all within Bwari Area Council of Abuja.
Shockingly, following the killings of Folashade Ariyo, and two others, the kidnappers had proceeded to demand N700m in ransom for the rest of the victims, after initially demanding N60m, resulting to the Father of the late Folashade, Mr. Oladosu Ariyo, to solicit help from the Nigerian Bar Association.
