By Chesa Chesa
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Mohammed Bello, announced on Thursday that some Boko Haram cells in Abuja have been neutralised by security agents following robust intelligence gathering and security. Measures out in place to safeguard residents of the nation’s capital.
He disclosed that the measures helped to foil a planned kidnap of two very prominent residents of Abuja, whose identities he declined to reveal.
Speaking while fielding questions from State House correspondents when he featured at the 40th Session of the State House Briefing, organised by Presidential Communication Team, in the Presidential Villa, Abuja, the Minister said that measures have been put in place for commercial motorcycle operators (okada) and dispatch riders to obtain licence before operating in the FCT.
He said this was because operators of commercial motorbikes have contributed to the criminal activities in the city, aside their unnerving traffic nuisance.
“The FCT is the most secure part of Nigeria today. Yes, we have insecurity here and there, it is a reality and it is a phenomenon that affects not just Nigeria but even our sub region. But what I do know is that the security agencies in the FCT are doing extremely well.
“I will say it again for every incident that you read in the papers or you see on the social media or in the radio. I tell you 10 to 15 cases have been nipped in the bud but they are not out there in the public.
“For instance, we have through the security measures in busted several cells of Boko Haram within the FCT, searching areas where they were and the kind of businesses they are doing and how they were able to blend easily within the wider community but it is something that cannot divulge here.
“Two days ago, a plan was hatched to kidnap two prominent people but because of modern technology now, because of the way the security agencies network among themselves, these plans were hatched.
“When the doctor was murdered in Games Village, there were a lot of issues as to all the insecurity…and it turned out that those that murdered him were those closest to him. Using technology everybody was nabbed at the time when the police were being bashed.
“We already had information on one or two people already wired but we couldn’t divulge that to the general public because if you do so the others that were on the run will know. Eventually that thing was cracked and they were arrested and are undergoing all the normal processes.
“The poor lady, who was murdered in Maitama and her corpse burnt, who had a child, who was an NYSC member, it was all there in the press. But now it has been cracked. Those who did the murder have been arrested.
“Sometimes that’s why I say we need to own the city. We need to love the city. Each time a big headline comes like this, it resonates across the entire world and they see our beautiful city as being under siege.
“The first incident was on the front pages, and was under ‘breaking news’ on all the social platforms. But the explanation I gave you was also in the news, but hidden somewhere where you don’t see.
“So, I want to really tell you that yes, we have pockets of criminality here but for those of you who live in New York, go to the Bronx, Queens and for those of you who live in London go to the other areas. It’s everywhere. But if we all organize ourselves and love the city and fight for the city, these are all things we are going to fight for.”
On the allegation that criminal elements operate from uncompleted buildings in the city and what he was doing to address it, he said, “yes, uncompleted buildings have been a challenge and with population explosion and how rent is so expensive here in Abuja, I’m sure all of us know that it is a reality, that any open space that is available, people will go into it.
“We’ve continued to work towards a number of ways to solve that. First and foremost, now we have identified the uncompleted buildings, we’ve identified the owners of these buildings and we’ve communicated in the open media, open source, as well as directly with the owners of these buildings that they have to start removing them.
“And invariably, what usually happens is a person puts up a building and he gives the security man to take care of it. He doesn’t probably live in Abuja, or he doesn’t go there and before you know it, the security men also sublets it and something like that.
“We know how it goes, but it’s something we are working on because we know that on a number of occasions, we’ve been able to identify criminals in some of these houses. But we do it with a human face in such a way that you know, you don’t create too much societal upheaval, but it’s something that is ongoing.”
The minister asked the Directorate of the Road Transport Service (DRTS) also known as VIO, of the Federal Capital Territory Administration, to update the press on the measures to tackle the menace of commercial motorcyclists within the FCT.
The Director, Dr. Bello Abdullateef, explained that “the menace arising from many okada riders is not just about traffic violations but also perpetration of crime. Okada is also used to deliver hard drugs across the city. It requires a multi sectoral approach to deal with the menace. We are introducing riders certification for those using okada for dispatch activities.
“Therefore, until you are verified by the Directorate of Road Transport service you may not be able to ride a bike across Abuja. We are remodeling the licensing and regulations as well.
“These will be carried out to dissuade the use of okada. Total ban has been suggested but still being considered.
“Some of the contiguous states are already banning them. And if we don’t ban them, FCT will be a dumping ground for them in a few years.”
