FCT Minister, Barr. Ezenwo Nyesom Wike has assured the Nigerian armed forces of the support of the FCT Administration in fighting insecurity in the Territory.
2. He said: “Whatever you think FCT can do for you, don’t hesitate to tell us. I will do it for you because you need support to succeed. While we are sleeping in the night, you are moving about, just to protect us. So, we need to give you the necessary support”.
3. Barr. Wike gave this assurance when he received the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher G. Musa on a courtesy visit to the FCTA on Friday, March 22, 2024.
4. The Minister who commiserated with the CDS over the tragic death of some soldiers in Delta state, pledged the support of the FCTA to help alleviate the sufferings of families of the deceased, describing the killing of the soldiers as barbaric and unfortunate.
5. He said: “First of all, let me condole the families and the Nigerian military over what happened in Delta State. It was the most barbaric act I’ve ever seen. I don’t think any right-thinking person will ever support such a heinous crime. Not that the people died, but the way they were killed is quite unfortunate.
6. “We as FCT will support the Nigerian military in whichever way we can to see what we can do to reduce the pains of the families of these individuals”.
7. Speaking further on the need to support the armed forces, the Minister said “And you are doing your best. People must appreciate. It is not easy for somebody to bring out his life and say I want to die for the country. So, every Nigerian should give you people the support. Nigerians’ prayers are required. I know how many soldiers you’ve lost in terms of fighting Boko Haram, bandits and other kinds of crime. So, you require support in all ramifications”.
8. Barr. Wike stressed the importance of synergy among organs of government, adding that the FCTA will continue to work with all security agencies in the FCT to achieve the security component of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda in the territory.
9. The Minister explained that the FCT Administration will set up a rapid response unit comprising a joint team from the various security agencies to respond to security challenges in the FCT.
10. He said the rapid response team will also be equipped with advanced technology to improve their ability to fight crime in the nation’s capital.
11. According to the FCT Minister, “What we are trying to do is to build a centre, what we call FCT Rapid Response Team, which will be a joint team, including the military, the police, the DSS and the Civil Defence, where every form of technology will be provided”.
12. Earlier, the CDS had said that the visit was to pledge the support of the armed forces for the activities of the Minister geared towards the upliftment of the FCT and its residents as well as to commend the Minister’s efforts in the development of the Territory.
13. He said, “We have seen within the very short time that you took over, a lot of changes, things have really improved. We want to commend you for that effort and assure you that members of the armed forces are solidly behind you to provide you all the necessary support that you require”.
14. He assured the Minister that the Nigerian armed forces will continue to work with other security agencies in the FCT, especially the police, to protect lives and property. He however added that the security agencies cannot do it alone but needed the support of the Administration and residents of the FCT.
15. He said, “Ours is to provide standby force in case it overwhelms them, then we can move in and we want to have them ready. In doing that, we are building up a rapid response team that will involve ground troops and air, especially helicopters. We want to be able to have them on standby 24 hours”.
16. Present during the visit were the Chief of Staff to the Minister, Mr. Chidi Amadi, the Head of Service of the FCTA, Mr. Samuel Atang, Mandate Secretaries, and other senior officials of the FCTA and the Defence headquarters.
22/03/2024
