Photo Caption
FCT Minister, Barrister Nyesom Wike assisted by the Minister of State, Dr Mariya Mahmoud cutting the tape during the presentation ceremony of 50 operational vehicles to security agencies in the FCT on Friday
By Ignatius Ushie
As part of efforts to check insecurity in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), the FCT Minister, Barrister Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, has presented 50 operational vehicles equipped with communication gadgets to security agencies in the FCT.
According to a statement made available to Transport Day in Abuja, Wike made the presentation on Friday, during a ceremony, attended by the Heads of the various security agencies in the nation’s capital.
The statement added that of the 50 operational vehicles, the Nigeria Police Force, FCT Command, received 24 vehicles, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, FCT Command and the Department of State Services, FCT Command got eight and five vehicles respectively.
A further breakdown showed that the Guards Brigade received three operational vehicles, while the Nigeria Air Force Camp, Abuja, the Naval Unit, Abuja, the Nigeria Immigration Service and National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, FCT Commands, got one vehicle each and the FCTA Advance Party/Security Monitoring unit received six operational vehicles.
Speaking during the distribution exercise, the FCT Minister stressed the commitment of the FCT Administration to ensuring the security of lives and property in the FCT.
He said security of lives and property is one of the priorities of the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and assured of the continued support of the FCT Administration for the security agencies.
According to him, “It is not my responsibility or the Minister of State’s responsibility to go and engage criminals. But it is our responsibility to provide the tools for the security agencies to confront these criminals and make sure we sleep with our two eyes closed.
“If we do not play these roles, it will be difficult for our security agencies to carry out this function of securing lives and properties”.
Wike, who frowned at the act of converting operational vehicles into personal use by security operatives, reminded them that the vehicles were purchased with taxpayers’ money and urged them to ensure that they are utilized for the benefit of the society.
The Minister charged them to also ensure that the vehicles are deployed both in the city centre and the rural areas to protect lives and properties.
Barrister Wike, while also acknowledging the vital role of the security agencies, urged members of the public to continue to pray for the security operatives and give them the necessary support rather than condemn them.
In her speech, the FCT Minister of State, Dr Mariya Mahmoud said the provision of operational vehicles for the security agencies is a significant milestone in the efforts of the FCTA to ensure security within the FCT and the neighbouring States.
She thanked the Minister for his focused leadership in the FCT and for making the vehicles available to the security agencies.
The FCT Police Commissioner, Benneth Igweh who was represented by the Deputy Commissioner of Police (operations), Kayode Ojapinwa also thanked the FCT Minister for his support to the security agencies and reaffirmed the commitment of the FCT Police Command to ensuring the safety of lives and properties in the FCT.
Also speaking, the Director of Security, FCTA, Adamu Gwary, said the operational vehicles will enhance the crime fighting capacity of the security agencies, adding that it will also improve their ability to respond to emergency security situations.
