…Says, No District, Groups, Individuals Are Spared By Kidnappers, Other Criminals
The member representing AMAC/Bwari federal Constituency of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Joshua Chinedu Obika has called on the federal government to overhaul and upgrade the nation’s Capital security architecture to address the growing insecurity.
He made the call while addressing journalists at the National Assembly on Thursday.
He said, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) is facing a range of security challenges, including banditry, kidnapping, one-chance operations, armed robberies and murder. Many of these incidents go unreported by the media.
Rep. Obika said, no district or class of people living in the FCT has been spared which makes it necessary for an urgent need to restore hope in the city’s security.
He called for the creatiion of a Special Security Intervention Fund for the complete overhaul of FCT security architecture and deploying smart technologies such as CCTVs and drones.
He added that, the FCT Security Department should also be upgraded to a directorate or agency with adequate professional staff and institutional framework to coordinate security efforts.
The lawmaker also called for the creation of a network of stakeholders comprising neighbourhood associations, community groups and traditional rulers to build solid networks and partnerships for effective policing.
He further suggested that, Night clubs should be required to install necessary electronic security surveillance gadgets and cater for patrols by security operatives with light arms.
He said that, residents should also be more watchful and report suspicious movements around them to the security agencies.
Citing the several cases of insecurity in FCT, he said, a resident, Greatness Olorunfemi who died from injuries sustained when she was thrown out of a cab by “one-chance” criminals adding that, kidnappers invaded Chikakore District in Kubwa and kidnapped a young man from his house.
He added, that, Mabel Ladi was alsomurdered by unknown assailants while Miss Blessing Karami’s decomposing body was found in Karmo and Austin Ilom died after being freed by kidnappers who picked him up from his house in Kubwa even after payment of N11 million ransom while Usman Hassan was also stabbed to death while jogging close to his highbrow Ochacho Estate in Idu-Karmo District.
The lawmaker noted that while some of the incidences were known in the public, many incidents go unreported in the media.
He said, “Severally, we have received reports of people who are tracked and picked just in front of their gates. As if these were not enough, another dimension to the criminality has been introduced by hoodlums who mob passers-by upon choreographed fake alarms of missing genitals and use the ensuing chaos to dispossess innocent victims of their phones and valuables.
“No district nor class of people has been spared and certainly, no one knows who is going to be the next victim. That Abuja is no longer safe is no more in doubt. Residents keep asking whether the security of Abuja is slipping through our fingers.
“There is an urgent demand for us to restore the hope of both the citizens and investors in this our dream city. Pursuant to this, I therefore appeal to Mr President for the creation of a Special Security Intervention Fund for the complete overhaul of FCT security architecture.
“Added to this, is the need for the FCT Administration to evolve a strategic initiative of deployment of smart technologies in the nooks and crannies of the city and satellite towns”.
He lamented that, some locations under bridges are infested with criminals who do not hesitate to kill for any brand or size of telephone handsets.
