In the wake of increased banditry in some states contiguous to the nation’s capital, Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello at the weekend summoned an emergency security meeting aimed at securing the fringes of the territory, some of which are now threatened by bandits.
As a consequence, heads of security agencies in the territory are also slated to meet on Monday to evolve practical strategies against the menace.
Friday’s meeting had in attendance the Minister of State in the FCT, Dr Ramatu Tijjani Aliyu and heads of security agencies in the FCT.
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Giving an update about the meeting, Senior Special Assistant to the FCT Minister on Security, Ambassador Habu Saliu Mohammed and the Commissioner of Police FCT Command, Babaji Sunday said the emergency meeting raised a lot of concerns about kidnapping and banditry in FCT suburbs.
The CP added that the security agencies also resolved to do their best to ensure the incidents were brought to the barest minimum.
He added that all the security chiefs will again meet in his office on Monday to further strategise on what were discussed at the emergency meeting.
“We have deliberated a lot and have already put in measures, which are not good to air to the criminals as it will be to their advantage.
But we have resolved among all the security agencies that we are going to do our best and ensure all those things are brought to the barest minimum.
“At the same time, we are going to improve our synergy –all of us the security agencies- and as we speak, we are going to meet in my office on Monday to further strategise on what we have discussed here.
We have assured the house headed by the Honorable Minister and Honorable Minister of State, who were both in attendance, that they will see changes.
We are also appealing to the residents of FCT to also see reasons and understand that by the grace of God we will be on top of the situations,” Sunday said.
He advised FCT residents to be security conscious and provide security agencies with actionable intelligence on criminal activities.
The CP also tasked the residents to form small neighbourhood watch within each estate made up people of good character, to curb criminality considering the fact that the number of policemen are inadequate nationwide.
“We also work with local vigilantes to improve community security.
We work with them hand in hand. They know the terrain. Anytime we have security issues, it is the local vigilante that we rely upon both in terms of intelligence and knowing the terrain.
But they are always profiled and work in synergy with the divisional police officer in that area”.
Meanwhile, the FCTA has begun the rehabilitation of 33 traffic light intersections out of the 172 in the city.
Inspecting the project at the weekend, Permanent Secretary in the FCTA, Mr. Adesola Olusade said the first phase of intersections were selected according to the priority of usage.
He said the initiative was to pave way for smooth driving, and also address the continued gridlock in the Federal Capital City FCC.
“For sometime now, there have been issues with traffic signals in the Federal Capital City but with the award of this contract, all the challenges associated with the traffic lights will be addressed”, he declared.
On its sustainability, the Mandate Secretary, FCT Transportation Secretariat, Zakari Dobi said adequate measures will be put in place by the secretariat to safeguard the multimillion naira traffic lights infrastructure.
“The project is going to be for one year, but with the 2022 budget, it can be extended to three years considering its importance” Dobi said.
The team started the inspection of the traffic lights project at Zakari Maimalara by Muhammadu Buhari way in the Central Business District, and ended at Kashim Ibrahim way/Aguiyi Ironsi street in Maitama District.
Vanguard News Nigeria
