By Desire Emmanuel
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has ordered the security agencies to step up efforts in safeguarding the territory, with improved surveillance at strategic points.
Speaking at the resumption of “Operation Sweep” on Tuesday, November 25, the FCT Commissioner of Police, Miller Dantawaye, said Wike had made the necessary provision that will aid the exercise.
He said the team comprised a joint military task force, police, Department of State Services ( DSS) and other security agencies which have been deployed to different parts of Abuja.
Dantawaye called on the task force to work harder and curb criminal activities in the territory.
A source at the FCT Ministry said Wike gave the go-ahead due to his concern with the safety of residents and visitors to the city, especially during the Yuletide.
Dantawaye also announced that service chiefs and the Inspector General of Police had given approval for the operation designed to address all criminalities during the festive season.
He said the team has been detailed to pay attention to the areas most vulnerable to kidnapping and banditry, ensuring safety for all residents.
“The FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, has given complete support, especially in terms of logistics for this operation. He has given approval and I am sure that by the time we’ll be leaving here later, I mean today, the funds for fueling, for servicing of the vehicles and even allowances for the men will have dropped into an account that we can assess.
“We were trying to perfect our legal requirements to that effect before we can delve into that. But naturally, we wouldn’t want to have people loitering around the cities and by way of claiming that they are beggars. Because we know that amongst people that come, some of them that claim that they are beggars are not exactly beggars. Most people come with criminal intent.
“We’re going to profile them and see those we will take off the streets that are criminally minded, even if they claim they are beggars. But for the beggars, well, we work closely, like I told you, looking at the legal backing, working closely with Abuja environmental protection bodies to see if there’s a need for us to take them away from the streets or not,” the FCT CP added.
