Infiltration Of Criminals Into FCT Alarming- Olumuji

Written by Remi Johnson, Edited By Grace Namiji

The increasing rate of Criminals infiltrating into Abuja from neighbouring States is becoming worrisome and unacceptable for the Federal Capital Territory Administration, FCTA. 

The Secretary, FCTA, Command and Control Centre, Dr Peter Olumuji, expressed the concern while responding to questions from journalists on the recent attacks on residents by kidnappers around the borders of Bwari Area Council.

Olumuji regreted that the current security challenges affecting the FCT were basically emanating from criminal elements from neighbouring communities of Niger, Kaduna, Kogi and Nasarawa states, despite the G7 feats.

He acknowledged that the kidnappers that attacked communities around Bwari Area Council, were repelled through the collaborative efforts of security men and vigilante hunters in the Area.

Dr Olumuji called on the Security Chiefs of the G-7 neighbouring States comprising Benue, Kaduna, Kogi, Nasarawa, Niger, Plateau and FCT to brace up and tackle the activities of criminals making life unbearable for those living in border towns.

While acknowledging the gains recorded from the G7, Dr Olumuji noted that the FCT had always played her part in securing lives and property, and urged contiguous States to do the needful from their own end.

Dr Olumuji however explained that an holistic security operation was ongoing to flush out criminals operating within the FCT, pointing out that Security Agencies have deployed personnel to fortify the border communities of Abuja.

According to him, the FCTA had also asked the Police Commissioner to deploy more manpower, vehicular assets, and tactical team to the affected areas in Bwari area council, even as he hinted that the FCT Police Command has paid a visit to the troubled area of Bwari.

“On Jan. 3, the Police Commissioner, FCT Command, along with his tactical team paid a confidence building visit to the Bwari Area Councils and most communities experiencing kidnapping”.

“Yes, there were pockets of attacks in one or two of the villages within the council, but the security agencies being complimented by the vigilantes and the hunters were able to repel the attacks”.

“The FCTA has also asked the police commissioner to deploy more manpower, vehicular assets, and tactical team to the area, which he has done. So Bwari is fully covered” Olumuji assured.

Dr Olumuji further pointed out that the territory was relatively secure throughout the festive season following improved security operations in the territory.

“Before now, people have been complaining about Kuje, Kwali, Jikwoyi, among others, but there was no reported incident in these areas within the festive period. This should tell you that security in FCT is improving on a daily basis,” he said.

Thr FCT Command and Control Center Secretary who identified the mountainous terrain of the border communities as one of the setbacks militating the successful crackdown of the criminal elements, said the FCTA was considering the use of technology, particularly drones, to improve security surveillance in the border communities.

“Operation Safe FCT was inaugurated by the FCT Minister made up of all security agencies including the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) as part of the security network of FCT, so the FCT Administration will be relying on their capacity, technology wise particularly their use of drones…and the FCT Administration has gotten in touch with the NAF authorities to make those assets available for the security of FCT” Olumuji hinted.