Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has solicited the support of traditional leaders to strengthen the fight against insecurity in the Federal Capital Territory.
During a security meeting with the FCT Council of Chiefs and the Chairmen of the six Area Councils in Abuja, the minister said that the support was critical to winning the war against criminal elements.
He said the meeting was to brief the traditional leaders on what the government is doing to curb the rising insecurity in the city and the Area Councils, particularly Bwari, Kwali and Kuje.
He assured residents that the government was not sleeping but doing everything possible to address the challenge.
He stressed the need for a strong synergy between the government and traditional leaders to win the war against insecurity.
Wike asked council members to work with the Area Councils’ Chairmen to strengthen vigilante groups in their respective domains.
He, however, cautioned against enlisting residents with criminal tendencies to avoid compounding the existing security challenge.
“Therefore, they must be profiled so that they are known. Who are they? Are they from our communities?
“This is key, so that we won’t say we want to solve a problem and then cause another one.
“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,” he said.
The minister also informed the traditional leaders that the FCT Administration would continue to demolish shanties, which he described as the hideouts of criminals within the territory.
Responding, Adamu Yunusa
the Chairman, FCT Council of Chiefs and Ona of Abaji, , assured the minister of the council’s full support.
Yunusa urged Wike to continue the good work he had started in the FCT.
Also, Daniel Chiya, Chairman, Kwali Area Council, equally pledged the support of the councils’ chairmen in the fight against insecurity.
He pointed out that the traditional leaders have a huge role to play in maintaining security in their domains and providing sensitive information to security agencies to aid their work
