From Ndubuisi Orji, Abuja
House of Representatives has resolved to summon Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike; Olatunji Disu, FCT commissioner of police and Adeola Ajayi, director general of the Department of State Services (DSS) over the spate of kidnaping in Abuja.
The House, at yesterday’s plenary, directed its committees on FCT and Police Affairs, National Security and Intelligence to summon all relevant stakeholders to explain to parliament their efforts to check insecurity in Abuja.
The House also mandated the FCT committee to probe the use of unpainted taxis within the FCT.
This followed the adoption of a motion of urgent importance by Dabo Haruna on the “resurgence of one chance taxi operators,” in the FCT.
Haruna, in his motion, informed the House that recently there has been an increase in the rate of kidnapping and robbery incidents, including the activities of “one chance” taxi operators.
He recalled that on October 17, 2024, one Miss Nimah Sulaiman, a legislative aide to one of the lawmakers, was kidnapped at gunpoint at Banex junction, in Wuse, by “one chance operators,” while on her way home.
According to him, the victim was later murdered by her captors.
Haruna said: “In recent years, the nation’s capital has experienced an increase in the rate of kidnappings and robbery incidents including ‘one chance.’
“From those kidnapped from far flung suburbs to those kidnapped along the Airport Road from those picked from their estates to those kidnapped at the city centre, to those abducted by renegade one-chance taxi operators,
“It has been a tumultuous and scary situation for people living within the capital territory of the use of unregistered and unpainted taxis has further worsened the situation, providing an easy conduit for criminal activities within the capital city,
“The residents of FCT are living in fear, as the security of the nation’s seat of power has continued to deteriorate as brutal criminals go about with their daily operations without mercy on citizens.
“One Miss Nimah Sulaiman, a legislative aide of Dabo, was kidnapped and brutally murdered on Thursday, October 17, 2024 on her way home to Jahi District, around 6:15 pm, where she was taken at gunpoint at Banex Junction in Wuse 2 by one-chance operators.
“Despite paying ransom in full, her life was tragically cut short. Her body was found between the hours of 9 to 10 pm at Maitama/Minister’s Hill Bridge
“This heinous crime has sent shockwaves through our community, confirming the escalating insecurity in the FCT. It is our collective responsibility as lawmakers to ensure the safety and security of our citizens.”
The House also resolved to interface with the Anambra State government and other stakeholders over endless killings in the state.
The House mandated its committees on Police Affairs, National Security and Public Safety to dialogue with the Anambra State government on a lasting solution to the killings in the state.
The parliament also urged the Federal Government to deploy more security personnel to Anambra State to ensure the security of life and property.
The lawmakers, while condemning the killings of 10 youths in Nibo, close to the state capital by gunmen, during a new yam festival in the state, called on the police to bring the perpetrators to book.
Meanwhile, Wike has declared war on beggars defacing Abuja city and posing security risk.
The minister made the declaration during the official commencement of the construction of an access road from Nnamdi Azikiwe Expressway by N16, to Judges Quarters, in Katampe District, Abuja, yesterday.
The minister said the move was necessary over concerns that Abuja was turning into a beggars’ city.
“Let me say clearly now, we have declared war on beggars because Abuja is returning to beggar’s city.
“If you know you have a sister, you have a brother who is a beggar on the road, do something, because from next week, we will carry them; we will take them out of the city. It is embarrassing that people who come into Abuja, the first thing they see are just beggars on the road,” he said.
Wike further said sometimes the supposed beggars may not be beggars but criminals pretending to be beggars.
“We will not allow that. So, I am giving a public order from now till Sunday. From Monday, we will pack them out. It’s very embarrassing. We are fighting insecurity, and people will carry plates begging, and might be informants.”
Wike explained that the move was to ensure maximum security so that residents could sleep with their two eyes closed.
He noted some people may not be happy with the decision, saying: “Sometimes we don’t need to make you happy. What is important is that we must do our work. If you are not happy, there is nothing we can do, but for the well-being of the people, it is key.”
