By Joyce Remi-Babayeju
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory Administration, FCTA, Barr. Nyesom Wike has pledged to support security agencies to build a high technology security rapid response center for security agencies in the territory to reduce the prevalence of criminality in the nation’s capital.
Wike made this known on Friday when he received the Chief of Defense Staff, General Christopher Musa and other top ranking military officers who visited him in his office to pledge their support, as he commended them for labouring day and night to protect the territorial integrity of the nation.
The minister, who assured them that their labour cannot be in vain, stated that the Security Center will be equipped with all forms of technologically driven security and communication gadgets to enable security agencies to effectively fight crime and criminality in the territory.
According to Wike, the Rapid Response Centre, would be equipped with all necessary operational logistics including drones to curb criminal activities
“The budget of FCT has been passed by the National Assembly, we are just waiting for the accent of Mr. President. We have concluded to buy drones so that it will help the security agencies in trying to reduce the level of crime. ”
He also assured the Armed Forces officers that the Administration would look into some land issues the military were having with the FCTA for the agencies to move forward.
Meanwhile, the FCT extended his condolences over the gruesome manner in which 17 military officers were killed in Delta State.
He condemned the act in totality, and pledged to support the families of the victims to reduce their pains.
“First of all let me condole the families and the Nigeria Military of what happened in Delta State. It was the most barbaric act that has ever been seen. I don’t think every right – thinking person will ever support such a heinous crime. Not the way people died, but the way they were killed. It was quite unfortunate.”
“We as FCT we support the Nigeria Military in which ever way we can to see what we can do to reduce the pains the families of these individuals go through. We are going to support you.” Wike assured.
Earlier, the Chief of Defense Staff, General Christopher Musa said plans were underway for the formation of special standby security forces in the FCT to nip in the bud all forms of criminality in the territory.
General Musa commended the FCT Minister for changing the narratives in the history of Abuja, and assured him that the Armed Forces are solidly behind him in his quest to ensure that Nigerians are protected.
He stated that efforts are on for the military to join forces with other security agencies to tackle insecurity head-on, and also stressed the need for citizens to support security agencies.
“Mostly why we came is to appreciate you for all the efforts you have put in place. We have seen within the short time that you took over , many changes, things have really improved. We want to commend you for that efforts, and to assure you that members of the Armed Forces are solidly behind you to provide all the necessary support as required.”
“We know a megacity like FCT will attract different individuals, both the good , the bad and the ugly. We would like to ensure, supporting other security agencies, that together we work as a team.”
” We are people-centric. Whatever we are doing, is for my men, members of the Armed Forces’ to understand first and foremost that we are here to protect Nigerians.We must ensure that we are not part of those that infringes on the right of other people. ”
“We are looking at it wholistically to see how we can assist the police in responding to acts of criminality. Like the incident at Kuje prison, the incident of train crash, even though not in the FCT, but within the perimeter of the FCT.”
What we are trying to do is to build a force that will be on standby 24/7, incase there’s anything happening, we can provide additional support to the police.” Musa said.
