Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has summoned an emergency meeting over the worsening state of insecurity in Abuja.The security situation in the capital city has worsened in the last months with kidnappers and bandits holding the city by the jugular.

Miffed by the development, Wike, yesterday, summoned a meeting of security agencies and other stakeholders in the FCT. In attendance were heads of security agencies, top officials of Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), area council chairmen and traditional rulers.

Wike, during the meeting, urged the council chairmen to live up to their responsibilities. He, however, assured residents of improved security, maintaining that there is a need for the re-strategising of the security architecture.

The meeting came hours after President Bola Tinubu’s wife, Oluremi, rued the death of Nabeeha Al-Kadriyar, one of the girls abducted on the outskirts of Abuja.

MEANWHILE, Wike warned the six council chairmen in the territory against frequent overseas trips amid security and education crises in the territory.
Wike said: “All of us are aware of the security situation in the FCT, particularly Bwari Area Council and some other areas that we have witnessed security challenges. 
  
“All we are concerned about is that in the FCT that houses virtually every Nigerian, we must ensure it is safe. We will do all we can, and we assure Nigerians who reside here that there is no need for panic. This meeting is practically to look into such challenges and see how we will be able to resolve the problems.”
  
According to the former Rivers State governor, his ministry and security agencies are not sleeping, promising to provide every support required to allay the fears of the residents.
  
Warning the chairmen against abdication of responsibility and frequent travels, the minister said: “We have invited all the council chairmen because they also have a responsibility in their various area councils.
  
“We will not be happy, where area council chairmen would leave their responsibilities and travel out. We have got reports that council chairmen travel anytime and then, if anything happens, they would not call anybody’s name except the FCT minister.”
   
He also lamented the crises bedevilling public primary education in the FCT, pointing out that Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) recent strike was the fault of the area councils. 
  
“Primary schools are under the area councils. It will look as if the ministers are doing nothing. But that is not our responsibility. However, we can’t fold our arms; so, we have invited them to this meeting to see how we can resolve the problem.” Wike added.

ALSO, Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani, yesterday, summoned emergency security meeting, comprising the military, traditional rulers, and local council chairmen over the resurgence of terrorists and kidnappers in Southern Kaduna and parts of the state, urging concerted efforts in addressing the security challenges.

Part of the immediate recommendation by the governor is the establishment of Kaduna State Security Trust Fund to mop resources from the public to effectively prosecute the war against banditry and terrorism in the state.

Sani said: “The purpose of this meeting is to brainstorm on the situations in certain areas of interest, notably Kauru, Kajuru, Birnin Gwari, Igabi, Chikun, Kachia, Kagarko and the Kaduna-Abuja Road.
 
“There was security on the Kaduna/Abuja Road for about 18 months, until the sudden unfortunate and disturbing attack and kidnapping. The recent occurrences on that axis clearly indicate the re-opening of a front on that route, which points us strongly to the need for renewed focus and coordination.”

Lamenting the resurgence of terror attacks and kidnappings, Sani remarked: “Chikun, Giwa and Igabi have become areas of concern as well; from Maraban Rido and Kudendan axis in Chikun, Sauran Goma, Kerawa and Dunki areas of Igabi have also witnessed attacks and killings. I also followed the developments in Giwa from Kidandan, Kaya, Sabon Layi and Idasu.”