Security Concerns Grip Abuja: Wike rallies against kidnappings, mining hazards
In a recent wave of insecurity, unknown gunmen suspected to be bandits abducted nineteen people in the Bwari Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.
The alarming incident came to light during the maiden meeting of the six council chairmen, where FCT Minister, Barrister Nyesom Wike, revealed the distressing news.
Wike wasted no time in calling for increased local surveillance in all six Area Councils of the nation’s capital to combat the growing insecurity.
The urgency of the situation became even more apparent as Abuja had just witnessed a tragedy a few days prior: about 30 lives were lost in a landslide triggered by illegal mining activities in the Kuje Area Council of the FCT.
Expressing his concern, the minister vowed to summon the FCT Director of State Services (DSS) and the Commissioner of Police to receive detailed briefings on the kidnapping and to facilitate rescue operations.
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He also tasked the council chairmen with establishing surveillance taskforces to monitor mining activities in their respective areas, pledging to collaborate with the Minister of Solid Minerals, Dele Alake, to eradicate illegal mining in the FCT.
Efforts to gather further details from the FCT Police Public Relations Officer, SP Josephine Adeh, proved futile as her phone was unreachable at the time of reporting.
During the meeting, the challenges facing the councils were laid bare by Kwali Area Council chairman, Danladi Chiya.
He implored both the FCT Minister and the Minister of State, Dr. Mariya Mahmoud, to come to their aid, citing inadequate funding of the local government system, escalating insecurity, and the need for development in satellite towns as major concerns.
Chiya also highlighted the issue of sanitation, the lack of efficient transport facilities, and the contentious problem of land allocation, where land meant for council use was being allocated without their involvement.
Abdullahi Sabo, the Chairman of Kuje Area Council, drew attention to the menace of illegal mining in the FCT.
He emphasized the indiscriminate issuance of mining licenses, leading to security issues and even fatal consequences, such as the recent landslide.
John Gabaya, Chairman of Bwari Area Council, called for greater inclusion of council chairmen in land allocation decisions, citing the centralized control of council lands as problematic and leading to unchecked developments.
In response, Minister Wike assured the council chairmen of his commitment to working for the betterment of the FCT, regardless of political affiliations or religious backgrounds.
He stressed the need for collaboration, emphasizing that what affects the councils affects him as well.
He expressed his dedication to ensuring that the councils receive their rightful allocations and pledged to address the pressing issues raised, including insecurity, sanitation challenges, and illegal mining.
The minister also advised the chairmen to take proactive measures in curbing illegal mining by forming their own surveillance taskforces.
He concluded by promising to engage with the Minister of Mines to tackle the issue of illegal mining head-on.
