The FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, has directed the six area council chairmen in the territory to set up vigilance groups and also ensure the immediate profiling of members of the groups.
Speaking during a strategic security meeting with members of the FCT Council of Chiefs and the council chairmen, Wike said the Administration would continue to work with the traditional rulers in ensuring foolproof security for the nation’s capital.
He said; “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 have told the police and other security agencies to itemise all their needs and we are going to meet them so that our people can sleep comfortably with their eyes closed.
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“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.
“We are not folding our hands we are not sleeping. We are working 24 hours round the clock.
“Again, you would have heard that we are demolishing shanties. You know criminals won’t want to live in known houses. They commit crimes and run to shanties that can’t be easily traced. So, we will continue to demolish shanties. You need to support us. You don’t allow people to bring propaganda. There is nothing like that”.
The minister also reiterated his resolve to roll out buses in order to reduce the incidences of ‘one chance’ or taxi robberies.
“Very soon we are going to roll out our buses which will be painted in Abuja colours and we won’t allow taxis that are not painted in our colours to operate so that this issue of one chance can be eliminated,” he stated.
Responding, the Ona of Abaji and Chairman, FCT Council of Chiefs, Alhaji Adamu Baba Yunusa, who said the minister was not new to governance or to Abuja, expressed optimism in his ability to turn around the fortunes of the territory.
“You are not new in Abuja and we trust you that you are going to change the story of Abuja by God’s grace.
“Continue with what you are doing and we are backing you,” the Ona said.
