TheCable

Nyesom Wike, minister of the federal capital territory (FCT), is currently holding a meeting with heads of security agencies in Abuja.

Those in attendance include chairpersons of the area councils.

There has been a spike in kidnappings in the FCT since December 2023.

According to Olusegun Dada, special assistant to President Bola Tinubu on social media, Wike has directed the area council chairpersons to “enhance their efforts” and address the security challenges in the city.

The meeting comes in the wake of escalating insecurity and kidnappings in the nation’s capital.

On January 5, gunmen raided a community in the Bwari area council of Abuja and abducted scores of people, including a family of six sisters.

On Sunday, the abductors killed Nabeeha, one of the six sisters, purportedly as a warning to the family for failing to pay the ransom of N60 million.

In November, the house of representatives committee on FCT asked Wike to prioritise the safety of residents in Abuja.

‘NO NEED TO PANIC’

Addressing journalists after the meeting, Wike acknowledged the challenges and urged residents not to panic, as government has taken measures to address the ugly situation.

“All of us are aware of the security situation in FCT, particularly in Bwari and some other areas that we have witnessed security challenges,” he said.

“Yes, I am aware that sometimes too, the press overblows what is happening, but all of us are concerned and we owe a duty to make sure that FCT is safe.

“We will 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 the challenges are resolved.”

The minister explained that the meeting was called to assess the security challenges in the FCT and adopt practical solutions.

He said the meeting was expanded to include the chairmen of the six area councils because they also have a responsibility to ensure peace and security in their areas.

“So, we will put our heads together to come up with solutions; we are not sleeping, the security agencies are not sleeping, we will provide every support that they require to allay the fears of the residents,” he said.

Wike frowned at constant travels by the area councils’ chairmen in the wake of recent abductions.

He described the development as unacceptable, saying: “This time around, we will not be happy where area council chairmen will abdicate their responsibilities and travel out”.

“We have gotten reports that the council chairmen travel any time, and if anything happens, they will not call anybody’s name but the FCT minister’s,” he added.

“So, council chairmen should know that they must wake up to their responsibilities. It is not everything that happens people will say that the ministers are not taking steps.”