By Halimah Olamide
Hours after the allegation by the senator representing the Federal Capital Territory, Ireti Kingibe that efforts to get involved in security issues of the FCT had been rebuffed, the Minister, Nyesome Wike, has warned against what he called politicisation of the security issues of the nation’s capital.
Wike stated this on Monday in a media chat where he said some politicians have started bringing political emotions into the issues of security in Abuja. Kingibe had said that he hoped that Wike would honour the invitation which would be sent to him over the issues, saying “It is not that I am hoping. I know he will be summoned.
“But whether he responds or not is a different matter entirely. But as the chief security officer of the FCT, he should have a plan.
“He should be able to tell us, the committee, and specifically me, that this is the plan for protecting the people of the FCT.
“Between him, the police commissioner, and the head of the DSS, they must have a plan.” While commending security agencies for the works they have done so far, Kingibe said she had raised the alarm before the current situation.”
He expressed concern that instead of commending the efforts of security agencies in addressing insecurity, some residents have continued to create panic by dishing out false alarms.
The minister, who commended security agencies for the efforts so far, said that the media chats present an opportunity to update Nigerians as regard the issues of security in FCT.
He stressed that the security agencies should be commended for the successes being recorded so far, rather than the political propaganda that security in FCT has collapsed to cause panic.
“After the first kidnapping incident in Bwari, President Tinubu summoned the service chiefs and my humble self and within a few days you have seen what they have achieved.
“But nobody is talking about that. Nobody has come to commend them. All you here security has collapsed,” he complained.
Wike also condemned claims by some activists that the demolition of shanties was responsible for insecurity in FCT, adding that twisting government efforts for political gains is not the way to go.
He therefore called on residents to give the government the needed support and desist from generalising security issues as if it was a daily occurrence.
According to him, nobody is happy that kidnapping is rearing its ugly head in FCT.
“Nigerians forget easily and that is why we have always said let’s not play politics with the issue of security.
“Remember, some time ago, in the last administration, we were told that bandits came to Kuje prison and wrecked havoc. Nobody said there was no Minister of FCT. There was a minister.
“Nobody talks about FCT being the capital. Remember, there was an administration where terrorists came and burnt the United Nations building here. It was in FCT.
“Remember, there was an attack to burn the police headquarters. There was a minister.
“All over the world, we have heard where armed men went to school in cities and shot at will, killing 15 to 16 people in the United States, in Britain, as developed as they are.
“That does not mean that the security in those cities has collapsed.”
He called on politicians to desist from using security situation to create panic, painting a picture that appears like the people in FCT can no longer walk freely in the streets or they will be kidnapped.
The minister urged residents to learn to appreciate government efforts and support the security agencies with intelligence information to assist in addressing the challenge.