Security
Kidnapping: Wike pledges positive news within days
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr Nyesom Wike, says residents of the territory will get positive news within days with regards to efforts being made to tackle insecurity in the FCT.
“I can assure you that in a matter of days, you will be hearing positive stories,” Wike told a townhall meeting in Kwali on Tuesday.
“We are ready to support our security agencies with whatever they need to ensure that our people can sleep with their two eyes closed.
“We are going to provide the councils with motorcycles to support the vigilante groups so that they can get information and assist our security agencies,” he added.
The minister directed chairmen of the six areas councils in the territory to strengthen and motivate local vigilante groups as part of measures to reinforce community policing.
Wike also asked the councils to procure more motorcycles for the vigilante groups, to enable them navigate difficult terrains while supporting security agencies.
He said that the FCT Administration would soon conclude the procurement processes for more operational vehicles to support security agencies in the discharge of their responsibilities.
“For me, whatever that is going to bring development or improve security, the government has no hesitation in doing it,” he said, adding that residents should support the security agencies with actionable information to address any security threat.
“We need information from you because without information, the security agencies would have little or nothing to do; if you give them information on time, they will make sure that bad things don’t happen,” Wike said.
On infrastructure, the minister promised to construct two roads in each of the six area councils, in addition to the ones being constructed.
The minister said that henceforth the FCT annual budget would rely on inputs from the people.
“Every year, before submitting any budget proposal to the National Assembly, I will meet with traditional rulers and the people to get their inputs.
“This is by way of getting them to recommend people-oriented projects that can be incorporated into the budget; we will not abandon you. We will make sure we develop the area councils.
“Before the end of the tenure of President Tinubu, you will see a lot of infrastructure going on in the area councils.”
Earlier, Kwali Area Council Chairman, Mr Danladi Chiya, appealed for the establishment of a police divisional office and military base in some parts of the area council.
Chiya also complained of bad roads, which according to him, have contributed to the rising insecurity in the area.
“The roads are not motorable, come to our aid to help put the roads in good shape. That will help reduce the incidences of kidnapping.
“We also require further military presence. We need more police stations especially in Gwako which has become a haven for these bad elements.
“We also need motorcycles for the vigilante groups. I have given them some, but we need more,” he said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
A student of the Federal University Birnin Kebbi (FUBK) has been abducted by unidentified gunmen following an off-campus hostel attack.
Channels reports that the incident occurred in the early hours of Tuesday at Istijaba Villa in Unguwar Jeji area of the state.
Witness accounts said five armed men entered the hostel to demand money from students who were taking a walk outside.
But the students refused to give in to their demands, which led to an assault from the attackers.
A resident, who was said to have attempted intervention, was shot dead while a final-year student of economics, simply identified as Madubiya, was whisked away by the assailants.
Responding to the incident, Muhammad Zaiyan-Umar, the vice-chancellor of FUBK, visited the scene in the company of the officers from the Kalgo police division and Department of State Services (DSS).
Addressing the students, Zaiyan-Umar said the university is committed to ensuring their safety and security.
It is understood that the VC has communicated the incident to Nasir Idris, the governor of Kebbi state, through the secretary to the state government and the director of security services at the cabinet office.
As of this reporting, the Kebbi state police command has yet to respond to enquiries about the incident.
In 2021, rumours soared of a planned attack by bandits after a heavy security presence was observed on campus.
At the time, the management of FUBK dismissed the claims.
The National Security Adviser (NSA) Nuhu Ribadu has expressed the Federal Government’s determination in finding a lasting solution to the incessant attacks and killings in Plateau State.
Speaking at Operation Safe Haven headquarters in Jos during an operational visit in the aftermath of attacks in some communities of the Bokkos Local Government Area LGA) of the state, Ribadu promised to end the killings.
Over fifty persons were killed within a week in attacks over five communities that left over three hundred houses burnt by suspected herdsmen.
The Plateau State Government, through the Secretary to the Government Samuel Jatau, also visited some of the affected communities to ascertain the extent of damages and also donate relief materials to affected victims.
Adu expressed the Federal Government’s determination in finding solutions to the incessant attacks and killings.
Also, speaking about the killings, the District Head of Manguna wants the government to provide more security personnel in the affected communities to curb rural-urban migration.
The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has expressed sadness over the recent frightening attacks by terror groups on defenseless communities in Plateau State, which resulted in the tragic deaths of several people, including children.
The forum calls on the federal government to be constitutionally responsible for the protection of the lives and properties of citizens. It said this will ensure that such renewed attacks and killings on the Plateau and other communities in the Northern region and other parts of the country are stopped immediately.
In a statement signed by the National Publicity Secretary of the ACF, Tukur Muhammad-Baba, it asked the Federal Government to declare a state of security emergency on vulnerable and banditry-prone communities and to initiate effective early-warning and early-response strategies that incorporate the participation of community members.
“ACF reiterates its long-standing stance that every new such experience is one too many. Clearly, the people are in great pain, with their situation compounded by existential economic challenges. The killing spree on the Plateau must be stopped immediately, and peace must return to the State,” it said.
It also called on intensified efforts in actionable intelligence gathering, processing, and deployment by all relevant security agencies to establish the immediate and remote causes of the latest skirmishes, as well as for security agencies to investigate, identify, arrest, and prosecute perpetrators and enablers of the attacks.
Furthermore, ACF demanded full compensation for the victims of the attack and the extension of relief to those injured by the attackers.
“ACF deeply mourns the dead and unequivocally condemns the attacks. The Forum particularly extends sympathy and condolence to the affected communities, the Government, and the people of Plateau State,” part of the statement read.
“The Forum identifies with the deep pains of families of the victims, prays to God to grant the deceased eternal rest, for surviving victims to be fortified with strength to bear the losses and for quick return to full health for all who suffered injuries.”
It also asked the Federal Government and the Plateau State Government to empower community leaders, elders, clergy, traditional leaders, civil society organisations, and other stakeholders to embark on community dialogue for conflict resolution, reconciliation, and cooperation.
“Citizens should avail the security agencies with credible information on the activities of insurgents and criminals; and members of the National Assembly to do more to hold the FGN and the national security agencies to account and to demand concrete evidence of a firm resolve to exterminate the current terror on citizens,” the statement added.