Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barrister Nyesom Wike has commended the security agencies in the nation’s capital for reduction of crime and criminality in the FCT.
Wike made the commendation when he received the British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Richard Montgomery, who paid him a courtesy visit in his office in Abuja on Tuesday.
He disclosed that the administration has given the police and other security agencies in the territory a lot of logistics support to help them effectively support the fight against banditry and kidnapping, adding that tremendous progress have been made in term arresting the kidnappers.
He maintained that security and job creation for FCT residents, are key priority areas on the list of his agenda in the territory, which is in line with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda which is anchored on eight priorities.
Wike noted, however, that the problems of insecurity in the FCT have not been fully solved, adding that there is significance progress in addressing the challenge.
He pointed out that security challenge in Abuja seems to be different because of its boundaries with Nasarawa, Niger, Kogi and Kaduna states, which he said, have high incidences of bandit activities, noting that when the criminals get it hot in those states they often run to Abuja.
Wike said, “Two months ago, it does appeared to be too hot on the territory, but you can now see that the level of criminal activities have come down very well because of the level of support and the commitment of security agencies particularly the police.”
Earlier in his remarks, the British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Richard Montgomery, said the visit was critical because of the important role the minister and his team play in the commission.
He said, “I have come to seek your view and understanding of approaches to the development of the Federal Capital Territory considering the many initiatives we have seen in the press which will lead to the prosperity of FCT.
“There have been security issues in the recent past especially kidnapping, we want to get an update on the issue, also in a closed door meeting I will give you more updates on UK and Nigeria bilateral relationships.
“In the last few days, we have step up our engagements to the Federal Republic of Nigeria and a few weeks a go, the UK hosted the Nigeria defence on security and defence partnership, we shall be looking at how the business environment can be better as well”
Montgomery said the British Commission was interested in understanding the areas of priority to help in the bilateral relationship.