By Daniel Tyokua
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Nyesom Wike, on Monday distributed hundred patrol motorcycles to vigilance groups, Police Force, DSS and Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps to fight criminals.
Speaking during the handing over of the motorcycles in Abuja, Wike said all the Six area councils in FCT would get 10 each, making it 60, 30 to police, NSCDC five While DSS is to get five.
He told the security agencies that logistics will be provided for those who are to use them.
Wike said security agencies had requested for a specialised motorcycle that will be used particularly in rural areas.
According to him, , “Remember that security agencies requested for a specialised motorcycle, that will be used particularly in the rural areas.
“The vigilantes will use them in the six area councils, and then the Police, the SSS, and the Civil Defence will also want to do with theirs. But let me caution, particularly to the security agencies, I don’t want to hear stories tomorrow that the motorcycles are nowhere to be found again,
“I don’t want to hear such stories. Because sometimes when you give out vehicles, before you know it, the vehicles are no more there. Please utilise these motorcycles to fight crimes in the areas you have identified. Ordinarily, the Chairman of the Area Councils ought to handle this, but this is our support to them in the area councils.
“Make sure that these motorcycles are given out to the vigilantes, and we are going to provide logistics for those who are going to use these motorcycles. We are going to provide logistics for them.
“We have promised the residents of Abuja and the Area Councils that security is a priority for the Renewed Hope Agenda. Anything we can do to protect lives and properties; we are going to do it. So, I urge you to use it well, and take it not for commercial purposes, not for commercial purposes. I don’t want to see the motorcycles in the city here. It should be used in the rural areas, so, they should not be used here.
“We are already trying to see how we can phase out motorcycles here, so please let it be taken to the rural areas. All the security agencies, the outposts give it to them.
“We do not want to continue to hear excuses that the terrain is so bad, they require this and that and they have not been given. Now that you have been given, these may not be enough, we will continue to provide more. For vehicles, we believe by the next two weeks, the vehicles would have been ready to give out to the security agencies.
“For us, we will not relent until those who say we will not sleep, they too will also not sleep. we will give out ten to each of the area councils, we will give out thirty to the Police, five for DSS, five for Civil Defence. But I have said, do not use it in the city here. If I find out you are using them in the city, I will find a way and take them back. Go and use it in the rural areas, they need protection and that is what we are doing”.
