By Joyce Remi-Babayeju
The Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Minister.Barr. Nysom Wike on Monday distributes 100 specialized motorcycles to security agents comprising the Police, Civil Defense, the State Security Service, SSS, and vigilante groups in the six Area Councils to combat kidnappings and other criminal activities in the territory.
The minister said that the motorcycles is the Administration’s support to the Area Councils, urged beneficiaries to use the motorcycles to fight crime in areas they have identified.
“Make sure that these motorcycles are given out to the vigilantes, and we are going to provide logistics for those who will use these motorcycles.”
” We have promised the residents of Abuja and the Area Councils that security is a priority for the Renewed Hope Agenda. Anything we can do to protect lives and properties; we will do it.”
The minister insisted that the motorcycles should be given to security agents at the outpost, adding, “We do not want to continue to hear excuses that the terrain is so bad.”
Wike also promised that in the next two weeks, vehicles will be distributed to security agencies in addition to more motorcycles.
“For us, we will not relent until those who say we will not sleep, they too will also not sleep. So, we will give out ten to each of the area councils, we will give out thirty to the Police, five for SSS, five for Civil Defense.”
Meanwhile, the minister has cautioned security agencies against stories of missing motorcycles.
He said, ‘I don’t want to hear stories tomorrow that the motorcycles are nowhere to be found again, I don’t want to hear such stories. Because sometimes when you give out vehicles, before you know it, the vehicles are no more there.”
If I find out you are using them in the city, I will find a way and take them back. Go and use it in the rural areas, they need protection and that is what we are doing, he warned.
The Commandant General of Vigilante Group of Nigeria, VGN, Umaru Bakori,Navy Capt,rtd, assured the Minister that the operational motorcycles given to the group will be judiciously deployed to enhance and strengthen rural security in the FCT.
Bakori stated that the vigilante groups in the communities and rural areas assist the police and other security agencies with vital intelligence resulting in successful counter insurgency operations
He assured the minister and residents that the patrol motorcycles will help enhance the operability and efficiency of VGN operatives, while incidents will be greatly reduced.
