In furtherance to its interventions to boost fight against insecurity, the FCT Administration had donated 50 operational vehicles to various security agencies domicide in the FCT....TAP TO READ THE FULL CONTENT | TAP TO READ THE FULL CONTENT
A breakdown of allocation of the operational vehicles revealed that Nigeria Police Force FCT Command got 25 vehicles, 5 vehicles each were allocated to DSS FCT Command, to FCT NSCDC and Guards Brigade Nigerian Army respectively.
Also, Naval unit Abuja and 053 NAF Camp Abuja got 2 vehicles each while 6 vehicles were allocated to FCT Secretariats, Departments and Agencies (SDAs).
Performing the official handover of the vehicles, the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, added that the FCTA will hand over 12 new Police Divisions to the FCT Commissioner of Police before April 2025.
Wike, who noted that security as the priority of any government, charged that the security agencies to utilize the vehicles particularly in the rural areas, so as to ensure the safety of residents during and after the yuletide season.
He recalled that the FCT Administration had earlier in the year, provided 50 vehicles for Federal security agencies in the FCT, making a total of 100 operational vehicles, noting that no state had done the same within the time frame.
He explained that the ongoing construction of the new Police Divisions across the six Area Councils of the FCT, was in response to the request of the Commissioner of Police.
“The Commissioner of Police requested for additional Police Divisions. And I told the Commissioner of Police, we will. As I speak to you now, it’s ongoing, 12 Police Divisions, it’s ongoing in the six Area Councils.
“And by the grace of God, before April next year, we believe those police divisions would have been finished and furnished, and equipped, and then we will hand it over to the Commissioner of Police.
“Like I said last time, we must not give space. We must not allow these criminals to strike before we go in. We have to take the war to them. Let them know that we are serious.
“And so during this yuletide period, make sure that we don’t give them any gap. I don’t want anybody to say because there was no vehicle, and before we could reach there, something has happened”, he said.
Responding, the FCT Commissioner of Police, Olatunji Disu, who spoke on behalf of all security agencies, thanked the FCT Minister for the provision of the vehicles, while stating the commitment of the agencies to providing a safe and secure environment for residents.
“As we accept these vehicles, we assure you Sir, that they will be deployed effectively and efficiently to boost our security efforts. Our commitment to providing a safe and secure environment for all residents remains our highest priority.
“We understand the challenges that lie ahead, and with this generous contribution, we are better equipped to face them.
“In collaboration with our sister agencies, we will utilize these resources to strengthen our response time to incidents, enhance our visibility in the communities, foster trust and cooperation between law enforcement and the public.
“We recognize that security is a shared responsibility, and we are dedicated to working alongside the community to create an environment where everyone feels safe”, the CP said.
In his goodwill message, Senate Committee chairman on FCT Ancillary Matters, Sen David Jimkuta noted that security and welfare of the people are the key functions of government.
He said the presentation of the vehicles was a signal that Wike was awake and will not allow criminals in Abuja this festive season and beyond.
Similarly, House Committee chairman on FCT, Mukhtar Betara assured that the National Assembly was fully with the minister on his appropriations.
Earlier, the Director, FCTA Security, Adams Gwary, who disclosed that the vehicles are fitted with gadgets, said Abuja remains the symbol of national unity and heritage, therefore, a peaceful and good ambience must be created for residents and visitors alike.
He reiterated that the vehicles would reduce response time to combat crime.
