· Plan security review
As security situation worsens in the the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, the administration has listed Bwari, Kuje and Abaji as the area councils that are worst hit by kidnapping.
The top three councils were made known by the Director of Administration and Finance, FCTA Security Services Department, Ebele Molokwu, during the end of the year media briefing on the activities of the department.
She said major kidnapping incidents in the territory were usually from those councils, though there are some isolated cases in the others area councils.
She said the councils share boarder with some states noted for kidnapping, adding that when the bandits came to strike they will run back to those states.
She the administration was determined to check both kidnapping and one-chance syndicates in the territory.
Towards this end, the Federal Capital Territory Administration, FCTA, disclosed that it has concluded plans to review the security architecture in Abuja.
Director, Department of Security Service, FCTA, Mr Adamu Gwary, at the media briefing, said that plans had also reached advanced stages to revive the G-7 security initiative and expand its number of security informants to include artisans and farmers among others.
He explained that the use of informants and vigilante groups for information and intelligence gathering was part of community policing of the FCT Administration.
This, according to him, will ensure that the capital city remains safe and secure.
The director added that the FCTA has banned begging and hawking within the secretariat as part of efforts to ensure security.
He also said that the FCTA has concluded plans to float an effective transportation system to address the menace of one-chance operators in the capital city.
“We are working assiduously behind the scenes to maintain security in the nation’s capital, including keeping peace between herders and farmers.
“We are also working with relevant agencies in preventing vandalisation of public utilities,” he said.
He said the FCTA had completed the installation of CCTV cameras around its secretariat in phase I of the programme, adding that phase II would involve installation in strategic areas of the city.
This, according to him, will enable security agencies to monitor, arrest and prosecute criminals.
He called on residents to be security conscious and report any suspicious happenings to nearby Police stations.
Gwary equally charged traditional leaders to adhere to the code of conduct guiding the traditional institutions, disclosing that a traditional chief was arrested for his involvement in kidnapping.
He added that the chief has been stripped of his title and handed over for prosecution, while decrying the weak legal structures in the FCT, which he said was negatively affecting the adjudication and punishment of lawbreakers and criminals.
According to Gwary, the security committee had been divided into two, the kinetic, made up of core security agencies and the non-kinectic which involves the traditional rulers and other relevant stakeholders.
He said in the restructured security committee, the FCTA now involves traditional rulers in non-kinetic approach, where the district heads meet regularly with the village heads and convey the decision reached at the meeting with the graded chiefs through the Ona of Abaji.
