From Fred Itua, Abuja
A few hours after the Daily Sun published an exclusive story on huge ransoms paid by victims of kidnapping to their abductors, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Nyesom Wike on Tuesday summoned an emergency security meeting.
Daily Sun in its report had detailed how victims had in the last one year paid millions of naira to the daredevil assailants, who since the beginning of the year, have upped their operations.
At the opening session, Wike assured residents that the FCT Administration and security agencies were not sleeping. He begged residents not to panic.
He said: “We are all aware of the security situation in the Federal Capital Territory, particularly Bwari and some other areas that we have witnessed security challenges. I am also aware that sometimes too, the Press overblow what is happening but indeed we owe a duty to make sure that FCT is safe.
“We will 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 will be able to resolve the problems and that is why we invited all the Council Chairmen because, they also have a responsibility in their various Area Councils.
“We will put our heads together and come up with solutions. For the Press, this is just for you to know that we are not sleeping, security also are not sleeping. We will give every support that they require in order take away the fears of the citizens or residents.”
The Minister warned council chairmen against unnecessary trips. He said they must remain in their councils and take responsibility for issues within their purview.
He added: “This time around, we will not be happy, where Area Council Chairmen will leave their responsibilities and travel out. We have gotten reports that Council Chairmen travel anytime and then, if anything happens, they will not call anybody’s name except the FCT Minister.
“Recently, the Nigeria Union of Teachers NUT embarked on strike and it is not our fault but the Area Councils. Primary schools are under the body of the Area Councils but again, it will look as if the Ministers are doing nothing but that is not our responsibility. However, we cannot fold our hands and we have invited them to this meeting to see how we can resolve the problem.
“So, Council chairmen should know that, they must live up to their responsibilities. It is not everything that happens, they would say that it is the Ministers that have not taken steps. So, for your information, we are doing everything we can to resolve the security challenges we are recently facing.”
According to credible data made available to Daily Sun, over 300 residents of the Territory were kidnapped between January and December, 2023.
Out of the aforementioned figure, no fewer than 30 abducted residents lost their lives in kidnappers’ den, while several sustained wounds from abuses.
Since January 1st, 2024, no fewer than 50 persons in the FCT have been kidnapped and a few killed by the daredevil assailants.
Findings by Daily Sun from ransoms demanded from victims’ families in the last one year has surpassed N1 billion.