FCTA Decries Influx Of Almajiris, Set Up Committee

The Federal Capital Territory Administration, FCTA, has set up a joint security committee mandated to beam its searchlight on the incessant influx of people into Abuja, especially Almajiris.

The FCT Commissioner of Police, Olatunji Disu, who briefed the FCT Minister’s Press Corps shortly after the expanded security meeting, chaired by the Minister, Nyesom Wike, said the issue is becoming worrisome.

He encouraged residents to be vigilant and report any suspicious persons in their areas involved in shady deals, emphasizing that such strangers ought to be duly profiled for security purposes.

According to him, a lot of clearance, investigation, and high intelligence work by security personnel are ongoing with the arrest of five persons, stressing the need for everybody to be security conscious.

“We had an expanded security meeting, which includes the Chairmen of the Area Councils. A lot of issues regarding security were discussed, but mainly, we focused on the issue of influx of people into the Federal Capital Territory, especially the Almajiris”.

“A lot of things were discussed about them and the way forward. The Minister, at the end of the meeting, directed a committee to be set up by us”.

‘It is of concern to us because we don’t want to wait for anything to happen. We want to be proactive. Meanwhile, the town is calm. If you see anything suspicious, quickly inform the security authorities. We need to profile people coming into our environment.”

Speaking on the committee’s term of reference, Disu said it has the mandate to see how it’s going to work with the Area Council Chairman, for them to identify schools where these children are being brought in to learn.”

“To profile those organizing these schools, to have the pictures, full number of people organizing these groups, and for them to work out means of working with them in the future, Disu said.”

Security agencies that are part of the committee include the Nigeria police, the Nigeria army, the DSS, and the NSCDC.

The committee is expected to submit its report in two weeks to the Minister of FCT.

Remi Johnson, Edited By Grace Namiji