Our concern is that for the Federal Capital Territory that has virtually every Nigerian, we owe a duty to make sure that this place is safe, to do all we can, and we assure Nigerians who reside here, that there is no need for panic.”

By Deborah Hassan

365Daily – Amidst widespread apprehension over rising cases of abductions in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), the Minister, Nyesom Wike, has called for calm, saying there is no need to panic as security agencies are working to address the security challenges in the territory.

The Minister gave this assurance on Tuesday, before entering an emergency closed-door meeting with heads of security agencies in the FCT, as well as Chairmen of the six Area Councils.

He informed members of the press that he and the Area Council Chairmen were collaborating to secure the FCT, which is one of the core functions of the government.

Wike said,  “All of us are aware of the security situation in the Federal Capital Territory, particularly Bwari and some other areas that have witnessed security challenges.

“Our concern is that for the Federal Capital Territory that has virtually every Nigerian, we owe a duty to make sure that this place is safe, to do all we can, and we assure Nigerians who reside here, that there is no need for panic.

“We are taking every step to make sure that those challenges are things that we must have to resolve. So, this meeting is practically to look into such challenges and see how we can resolve the problems. And that is why we invited all the council chairmen because they also have a responsibility in their various area councils.

“So, we will put our heads together and come up with solutions. So, for the press, it is just for you to know that we are not sleeping, security agencies are also not sleeping. We will provide every support that they require to allay the fears of the citizens.”

He added that it is unacceptable for Area Council Chairmen to abandon their various councils, while the residents are confronted with various challenges.

“We have gotten reports that council chairmen travel anytime, and then if anything happens, of course, they will not call anybody’s name, they will call the FCT Minister.

“However, we cannot fold our hands, we have invited them to a meeting this afternoon to see how we can also resolve the problem,” he stated.

The deaths of Nabeeha Al-Kadriyar and Folashade Ariyo who were killed after they were kidnapped alongside many others in Bwari Area of the FCT, has generated national outburst over the rising insecurity in the nation’s capital.