Staff writer.1/16/2024. 6:27 AM.
The FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, has called for an urgent security meeting to address the rising attacks in the Federal Capital Territory, FCT. He assured the residents of their safety and said the government was providing the necessary support to the security agents. The meeting was attended by the heads of security agencies in the FCT, senior FCTA officials, council chairmen, and traditional rulers. Wike urged the council chairmen to be proactive and responsible at the local level. Bandits have been targeting some parts of the FCT, kidnapping residents from their homes. The situation worsened when some residents, including a 13-year-old Secondary School student, were killed for failing to pay ransom.
The history of insecurity in FCT is a complex and multifaceted issue, but some of the main factors that have contributed to it are:
The rapid urbanization and population growth of the FCT, which has created social and economic challenges, such as unemployment, poverty, inequality, and environmental degradation. These factors have increased the vulnerability and frustration of some residents, especially the youth, who may resort to crime and violence as a means of survival or expression.
The spillover effects of the insurgency and banditry in the neighboring states of Kaduna, Niger, Nasarawa, and Kogi, which have affected the security and stability of the FCT. Some of the bandits and insurgents have infiltrated the FCT and carried out attacks on communities, farms, and roads, kidnapping and killing residents for ransom or revenge.
The weak and inadequate security infrastructure and response in the FCT, which has failed to prevent, deter, or contain the security threats. Some of the challenges include the lack of coordination and collaboration among the security agencies, the shortage of personnel and equipment, the poor intelligence and surveillance, the low public trust and cooperation, and the corruption and impunity of some security officials.
These are some of the major factors that have shaped the history of insecurity in the FCT, but there may be other causes and consequences that are not captured in this brief summary.
Some of the victims of banditry and insurgency in FCT are:
· On December 26, 2023, in Bwari Council, Abuja, Alhaji Mansoor Al-Kadriyar, his five daughters, and one more sibling were taken from their house by the abductors, who also shot and killed his younger brother, Abdulfatai, at the scene.
Alhaji Mansoor Al-Kadriyar lost his younger brother, Abdulfatai, who was shot dead by the abductors at his house in Bwari Council, Abuja, on December 26, 2023. The abductors also took him, his five daughters, and another sibling hostage. Bandits demanded N700m before they released the remaining family members. This kidnapping has resulted in Nigerians crowdfunding to pay the Bandits for the release of Alhaji Mansoor Al-Kadriyar. Initially, there were no comments from the FCT minister and Tinubu.
Five daughters of Alhaji Mansoor Al-Kadriyar. One of the girls (Nabeeha) has already been killed.
Residents of Kawu in Bwari Area Council, who were kidnapped and killed by bandits for ransom. Among them were four children, aged 12 and 13.
Students and teachers at schools in the FCT, who have been forced to cope with overcrowding and inadequate facilities due to the influx of pupils fleeing from insecurity in neighboring states.
Fulani herders and farmers, who have been targeted and attacked by bandits and insurgents for their livestock and land. The Fulani have also faced discrimination and marginalization from some communities and authorities.
These are some of the groups that have suffered from the violence and instability in the FCT, but there may be others that are not mentioned here.
There are some successes in addressing insecurity in Nigeria such as the establishment of state-level peace agencies in Plateau, Kaduna, and Adamawa, which have helped to reduce violent conflicts and promote dialogue and reconciliation among different communities. These agencies have also mobilized civil society and local governments to support peacebuilding efforts.
The launch of Operation Safe Corridor, a de-radicalization and reintegration program for repentant Boko Haram members, which has provided them with education, vocational training, and psycho-social support. The program has also facilitated the reconciliation of the ex-combatants with their families and communities.
The implementation of the National Livestock Transformation Plan, a policy initiative to address the root causes of the farmer-herder clashes, such as land and water scarcity, climate change, and poor infrastructure. The plan aims to modernize the livestock sector, improve pastoral livelihoods, and enhance security and social cohesion.
These are some of the examples of how Nigeria has tackled some of its security challenges, but there are still many more that need to be addressed.
Wike’s responsibility in fighting insecurity in Abuja is to oversee the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), which is in charge of providing security, infrastructure, and social services to the residents of the FCT. He is also expected to coordinate and collaborate with the security agencies, the area council chairmen, the traditional rulers, and other stakeholders to address the security challenges and ensure peace and stability in the FCT. He is also accountable to the President and the National Assembly for the performance of his duties and the security situation in the FCT.
Some of the criticism that can be levied on Wike in his failure to protect the citizens of Abuja are:
He has not shown enough political will and commitment to address the security challenges, as he has been accused of being more interested in his 2024 presidential ambition than in his current responsibility as the FCT minister.
He has not been transparent and accountable in the management of the security funds and resources allocated to the FCT, as he has failed to provide a breakdown of how the money is spent and what results are achieved.
He has not been proactive and innovative in finding lasting solutions to the security problems, as he has relied on conventional and reactive measures, such as holding emergency meetings, deploying more security personnel, and appealing to the public, without addressing the root causes and drivers of the insecurity.
He has not been inclusive and collaborative in engaging with the various stakeholders and actors involved in the security sector, such as the security agencies, the area council chairmen, the traditional rulers, the civil society organizations, and the residents themselves, as he has often ignored their inputs and suggestions.
He has his attention in trying to remove a duly elected governor of rivers state Siminalayi Fubara, attending parties here and there and threatening people he deemed his enemies instead of focusing on his job as the Federal Capital Territory Minister.
Security is a complex and multifaceted issue that requires the collaboration and commitment of various actors and stakeholders, such as the government, the security agencies, civil society, and the residents. There is no single or simple solution to the security challenges in Abuja, but some of the possible steps that can be taken are:
· Strengthening the security infrastructure and response in the FCT, by providing adequate personnel, equipment, intelligence, and surveillance to the security agencies, as well as enhancing their coordination and collaboration with each other and with the FCTA.
· Addressing the root causes and drivers of the insecurity, such as poverty, unemployment, inequality, environmental degradation, and social exclusion, by implementing policies and programs that promote economic development, social justice, and environmental sustainability in the FCT.2
· Engaging and empowering the communities and residents in the FCT, by involving them in the security decision-making and implementation, as well as providing them with education, awareness, and support to prevent and report security threats and incidents.
· Building trust and cooperation between the security agencies and the public, by ensuring transparency and accountability in the security sector, as well as respecting and protecting the human rights and dignity of the citizens.
These are some of the general suggestions that can help to restore security in Abuja, but they may need to be adapted and customized to the specific context and situation of the FCT.
Sources:
Pulse.ng; This Day; Nation online; Daily Trust; The New Humanitarian; theabujainquirer.
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