In a startling revelation, Senator Ireti Kingibe has accused the Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, of ignoring her early warnings about the escalating insecurity in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
QUEST TIMES reports that the nation’s capital has been grappling with a surge in kidnapping for ransom and armed robbery in recent months.
Despite representing the FCT in the Senate, Senator Kingibe lamented that her concerns were brushed aside, with authorities allegedly downplaying the severity of the issues she raised. Speaking on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics, the Labour Party (LP) lawmaker recounted her efforts to draw Minister Wike’s attention to the deteriorating security situation.
She highlighted specific incidents, including the tragic death of a girl thrown out of a taxi during a one-chance robbery. Despite her early warnings, she claimed that no substantial action was taken until the security situation reached a critical point.
She said, “I remember a few months ago, I drew the attention of the minister (Nyesom Wike) – when he came for appropriation – to the fact that security is a priority. And I have been saying that for a long time. It started off with the people in Mpape being unable to sleep,” the Labour Party (LP) lawmaker said on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics.
“Some months back, the girl that was thrown out of a taxi from one chance that eventually died.
“All these things I drew his attention to, but nothing was done until it got to the point where we are now.
Sen Kingibe further commended the recent efforts of security agencies in responding to the crisis, Senator Kingibe stressed that more needed to be done beyond apprehending kidnappers. She emphasized the importance of addressing the root causes of the insecurity plaguing the FCT.
“And I must commend the security agencies for doing something when we started to scream. But the truth is a little bit earlier, I tried to draw their attention and I was told that it was exaggerated and I said it couldn’t be because what I’m telling them, I did not get from social media. I got it from my constituents. But I’m glad that everybody, we are now all seems to be on the same page.
“They’re trying to take it all seriously, but a lot more needs to be done. Catching the kidnappers is just the symptom. We need to get to the root cause of what is causing all of this insecurity.”
In response to the surge in criminal activities, the police have intensified their efforts, implementing special squads and deploying new tactics. This has resulted in the rescue of some victims and the arrest of numerous suspects.
Despite these measures, the Force spokesman, Muyiwa Adejobi, asserted that there is no need for a state of emergency in the FCT. The statement comes amidst growing concerns about the security situation in Abuja and underscores the ongoing efforts by authorities to bring the situation under control.