Reps summon Wike, DSS DG, others over insecurity in FCT

The House of Representatives has resolved to summon the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and the Director General of the Department of State Services, Oluwatosin Ajayi, along with the FCT Commissioner of Police, Peter Opara, and other security stakeholders, to address the worsening security situation in Abuja.

The decision followed the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance moved by Haruna Dabo, the member representing the Toro Federal Constituency of Bauchi State, during Tuesday’s plenary session.

Dabo’s motion focused on the resurgence of “one chance” robberies, which led to the tragic death of his legislative aide, Nimah Sulaiman.

Sulaiman was abducted by unidentified gunmen on Thursday, October 17, 2024, in Abuja. Despite her captors collecting a ransom of N1 million, they stabbed her, and she later succumbed to her injuries.

While presenting his motion, Dabo lamented the increasing rate of kidnappings and robberies in the FCT, noting that both suburban and central areas of the capital city have become unsafe.

He expressed concern over the rising incidents of abductions by “one chance” taxi operators, especially in unregistered and unpainted vehicles, which have worsened the security situation.

“It has been a tumultuous and scary situation for people living within the capital territory. The use of unregistered and unpainted taxis has further exacerbated the situation, providing an easy conduit for criminal activities within the capital city,” Dabo said.

The lawmaker also recounted the tragic murder of his aide, stating, “Ms. Nimah Sulaiman was kidnapped and brutally murdered on Thursday, October 17, 2024, on her way home to Jahi District after being taken at gunpoint at Bannex Junction, Wuse II, by ‘one chance’ operators. Despite paying the ransom in full, her body was found hours later at the Maitama/Minister’s Hill Bridge.”

Dabo described the incident as a painful reminder of the deteriorating security in the FCT, which has left residents living in fear.

Following a minute of silence in memory of the deceased, the House directed its Committees on FCT, Police, and National Security and Intelligence to summon the FCT Minister, the FCT Commissioner of Police, the DG of the DSS, and other key stakeholders to provide a detailed briefing on the current security situation in the capital.

The House also mandated its Committee on FCT to investigate the widespread use of unregistered and unpainted taxis in Abuja and recommend measures to regulate their operations.

Additionally, the Committee on FCT, alongside the Committees on Police and National Security, was tasked with conducting a comprehensive investigation into the activities of kidnappers and armed robbers within the city, with a report due within three weeks.