The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and six states convened a security summit in Abuja on Thursday under the auspices of the G7 to discuss how to respond to the country’s rising insecurity.
The G7 Security Summit was attended by the FCT Police Commissioner, as well as his colleagues from Benue, Kogi, Plateau, Nasarawa, Kaduna, and Niger States.
The meeting, which took place at the Nigeria Police Officers Mess, was attended by DSS officers from Kogi and Benue, as well as the Director Security Service, FCTA, and FCT Commandant (NSCDC).
The conference was called to discuss concerns such as kidnapping, banditry, livestock rustling, and other criminality, according to Babaji Sunday, the FCT Commissioner of Police and Chairman of the G7 Technical Committee.
He underlined the need of working together with all sister agencies to prevent criminal activity.
He hinted that, “That is why we are meeting to strategize to address the challenges now that we banditry and cattle rustling and other criminality”.
Meanwhile, the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) Permanent Secretary, Mr. Olusade Adesola, termed the country’s security challenges as “hydra-headed” and “unique in Nigerian history.”
He urged the G7 governors to equip various security services in response to the increased security challenges.
He urged the Commissioners of Police, top officials from the FCTA Department of Security Service, the military, and other security organizations to take the discussions seriously in order to preserve the states and the country from a terrible wave of insecurity.
Adesola urged the G7 countries to protect the FCT from criminality and violence.
According to him; “It is very instructive that we all come to terms with the ugly and horrifying security situation bedeviling the G7 States in particular and the nation at large. Bluntly speaking, we are faced and challenged with a situation that is not only hydra-headed, but quite unprecedented in the history of our country.
“This meeting couldn’t have come at a better time than now, given the present insecurity challenges and criminality in our nation today.
“We should bear in mind that Abuja is the Nation’s Capital City and as such we all do have a common stake to protect the FCT from being vulnerable to any act of criminality and attack. It Is Important to remind us that Abuja, aside from being the seat of the Federal Government, is equally playing host to foreign Embassies and high Commissions of many countries of the world.
“The city of Abuja, strategically is the gateway of the nation and the symbol of Unity to all tribes of the nations. Therefore, any major security breach or criminal act will be a gross embarrassment to the country”.
In addition, the Director, Department of Security Services, FCTA, Malam Adamu Gwary said that the FCT administration will do everything possible to ensure safety in Abuja and its environs.
He added that, “We want to come together to forge a common front particularly on cross border crimes. We want to have a common front on information sharing”.
More so, the Nasarawa State Police Commissioner , Adesina Shoyemi said “The people who come to Abuja find out that they cannot cope and move to the suburb, which is why we need to monitor properly. We are combing the nooks and cranies of the state and very soon all the criminals will be arrested”.
Meanwhile, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) FCT Commandant, Dr. Peter Maigari said the meeting will focus on collaboration with other agencies through synergy.
