FCT Minister presents second batch of operational vehicles to security agencies, tasks on taking war to criminals

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Barr. Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, on Thursday, December 12, 2024 presented 50 brand new operational vehicles to the security agencies in the FCT to support the fight against insecurity.

Speaking during the presentation ceremony, the FCT Minister said security was a priority of the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu and stressed the commitment of the FCTA to the security of the nation’s capital.

He said adequate provision was made in the budget of the FCT by the National Assembly for the purchase of the 50 operational vehicles, adding that the FCTA had, earlier in the year, also distributed 50 operational vehicles to the security agencies, bringing the total number to 100.

The Minster charged the security agencies to utilize the vehicles to protect lives and property in the Abuja city centre and the satellite towns, urging them to take the war to the criminals and not wait until they strike.

He said, “We must not give space, we must not allow the criminals to strike before we go in. We have to take the war to them, let them know that we are serious. So, this festive period, make sure that you don’t give them any gap”.

Barr. Wike who noted that there is improvement in FCT’s security situation, especially a reduction in kidnapping incidents in the rural areas, commended the security agencies and pledged the continued support of the FCT Administration.

He disclosed that 12 police divisions were currently being constructed in the six Area Councils of the FCT as was requested by the FCT Police Commissioner, and assured that the divisions would be completed, furnished, and handed over to the police by April next year.

Noting that the difficult terrain and remoteness of the FCT Area Council were militating against the fight against insecurity, the Minister also expressed confidence that the provision of access roads in the rural areas will also make it easier for the security agencies to operate in these areas.

He therefore called on FCT residents to support the security agencies, urging them to report untoward activities in their communities to nip security threats in the bud.

Reacting to recent accusations of land grabbing against the FCT Administration in social media, the Minister said the FCTA was not afraid of blackmail and was determined to correct anomalies in land administration in the FCT. He stressed that the FCTA would not be deterred by negative commentary in the media.

He said “Let me use this opportunity to tell Nigerians and the residents of the FCT that we are not afraid of blackmail. In fact, you cannot be in this kind of position and you say you will not be blackmailed, particularly as regards this Abuja where there are so many land grabbers.

“Some of us have come to put our feet down. Let heaven fall. It is even better that heaven comes down now so that we will not be fasting again to go to heaven. We will stop anybody who thinks that he can take the government’s land for whatever reason without formal approval.

“We will not look at your face. If you like, you can be a civil rights activist. If you like, you can be a television talker. What is wrong is wrong. No amount of blackmail can stop us..If you want land, you know the right thing to do, you know the right step to take. But through blackmail, you won’t get it”.

The Minister also used the opportunity to warn ground rent and other land tax defaulters that the government would not hesitate to revoke their land titles.

He said the FCT Administration requires revenue to provide infrastructure in the FCT and pay staff salaries, adding that the allocation from the Federal Government alone was not sufficient.

He said, “I have published the names in the newspapers and people think I’m joking. All of you are saying we are providing vehicles, with which money. What does the FCT get in a month from the Federal Government allocation? If the FG gets N1 trillion in a month, for example, we take 1 percent and that is N10 billion. There is no oil here. We are not collecting derivations. It’s only what the Federal government gets, they give us one percent.

“You are talking about Wike is working, roads here, flyovers there. You own a property, pay your ground rent, you won’t pay. Then every day you say Wike is working. Will he work with his blood?”, he asked

Earlier in his welcome address, the FCTA Director of Security Services, Adamu Gwary, thanked the FCT Minister for the provision of crime-fighting equipment for the security agencies, saying it will enhance their capacity to tackle security threats in the FCT.

Operational vehicles distributed to security agencies in the FCT by the FCTA on Thursday

The FCT Commissioner of Police, Tunji Disu, who spoke on behalf of all the security heads in Abuja, said the donation of operational vehicles underscores the commitment of the FCT Administration to enhancing the operational capacity of the security agencies, adding that the vehicles will also improve their ability to swiftly respond to emergencies, conduct patrols and other policing initiatives.

Chairmen, Senate Committee on Area Councils and other Ancillary Matters, Senator David Jimkuta and House of Representatives Committee on FCT, Hon Aliyu Mukhtar Betara, respectively commended the FCT Minister over his support to the security agencies and pledged the continued support of the National Assembly, even as they urged the security agencies to also ensure the judicious use of the operational vehicles.