Insecurity: FCTA Is Not Sleeping, No Panic- Wike

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Mr Nyesom Wike has encouraged residents not to panic over insecurity challenges being experienced in some parts of the territory.

The Minister who gave this encouragement before a closed door emergency security meeting in Abuja, said the FCT Administration was making frantic efforts to tackle the insecurity challenge head-on to protect lives and property.

Wike used the medium to advise Area Councils Chairmen to wake up to their responsibilities and shun abroad travels, while their areas are under attack, particularly the current kidnappings and other security challenges affecting the council areas.

According to the FCT Minister, the essence of the emergency security meeting is to look into the security challenges and find practical ways to address them.

He added that all Chairmen of the Area Councils were invited for the meeting because they also have a crucial responsibility in their various councils.

“This time around, we will not be happy, where area council chairmen will abdicate their responsibility and travel out.We have gotten reports that the council
chairmen travel anytime, and if anything happens, they will not call anybody’s name, but the FCT ministers.’

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

“We are not sleeping; the security agencies are not sleeping, and we provide every support that they require to allay the fears of the residents,” Wike assured.”

Wike also expressed worry over the manner that the Area Councils Chairmen have handled primary school teachers demands that had led to the ongoing strike in the territory, describing the development as unacceptable.

“Recently NUT have embarked on strike. It is not because of our fault; it is the area council because primary schools are under the purview of the area councils. Again, it will look as if the minister is doing nothing, but that is not our responsibility, however, we cannot fold our hands” Wike said.

The Minister disclosed that he has invited the striking teachers for a meeting this afternoon to resolve the problem.

By Remi Johnson /Edited By Grace Namiji