…warns against infiltrators
By Sarah NEGEDU
Security agencies in the Federal Capital Territory have intensified surveillance across Abuja ahead of the Christmas and New Year celebrations, warning transport operators and event centres against allowing unidentified persons to operate within public spaces.
The clampdown driven by the FCTA’s Operation Sweep, is aimed at checking activities of miscreants and criminal elements wanting to infiltrate motor parks and other high-traffic locations.
Speaking during a security tour of some bus stop on Monday, the Director of the Department of Security Services, FCTA, Adamu Gwary, said the administration had deployed officers to suspected black spots to prevent a breakdown of law and order during the holidays.
Gwary, who was represented by Dr. Olumiji Peter during visits to Apo Bridge, Area 1 Roundabout, Julius Berger junction and Utako Motor Park, said operators must ensure that only properly identified motorists and workers are allowed to operate.
He said, “We are going round the city in continuation of the ongoing Operation Sweep, ensuring that the FCTA is rid of all miscreant and criminal elements, because this yuletide season is meant for family and friends to unite and enjoy togetherness.
“But you know, in as much as you have this, you also have the miscreants and criminal elements that also want to bring surprises.
“And the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has given a marching order to the security agencies under the Operation Sweep, that every form of criminality should be crushed accordingly.
“We are going to sustain monitoring of motor parks, dismantling illegal motor parks too, that can be used as an avenue for one chance syndicate.
“The FCT Police Command has done a massive deployment already. Just like a few days ago, the Commissioner of Police, railed out the deployment order, and officers have been stationed in strategic areas.”
Officials said the operation would focus heavily on motor parks and illegal transport routes, which security agencies have identified as vulnerable to criminal activity during peak travel periods.
The enforcement has also been extended to other areas, with the FCTA evacuating beggars and other miscreants from major roads and public spaces as part of efforts to reduce security risks during the festivities.
Head of the Enforcement Unit of the FCT Social Development Secretariat, Ukachi Adebayo, said 181 beggars had been evacuated from Abuja streets in the last two weeks.
She said, “The beggars arrested are currently in our holding centre. When we apprehend, we profile, we take care of their welfare. Then we train those that want to be trained.”
At Utako Motor Park, the chairman of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, Adamu Abubakar, said the union had tightened internal controls to support the security drive.
He said motorists without proper identification were not allowed to operate in the park and pledged that profiling of all members, especially new entrants, would be sustained throughout the festive period.
The FCTA said security monitoring under Operation Sweep would continue across the capital throughout the yuletide season.
