Nigerians based in the United States of America and United Kingdom under the aegis of the United Nigerians for True Federalism, North America Chapter, have attributed the increased rate of crimes in the Federal Capital Territory to those against the developmental strategy by the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike.
According to the UNTF, the numerous achievements of Nyesom Wike in the FCT with infrastructural projects, savings to the FCT of over N100 billion in less than six months in office, and ordering contractors with abandoned public projects to immediately resume work or face the law are the elements against Wike.
They also pointed out that Wike’s support for President Bola Tinubu is why they are bent on instigating and sponsoring kidnappings and insecurity close to the power base in Abuja to sow discord and disrupt the relationship between Wike and President Tinubu.
UNTF, whose members are made up of professionals, including engineers, medical practitioners, retired military personnel, and others, in a statement issued via electronic mail and signed by it Secretary General Mr. Kenneth Friday, while expressing concerns over the incessant cases of kidnapping and banditry in the FCT, expressed total confidence in the ability of the Minister, President Tinubu and the security chiefs to tackle the insecurity head-on.
The group also called on the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to immediately withdraw excessive security aides attached to the VIPs and politicians and deploy them to join the proposed Presidential Security Task Force to tackle crimes and criminality in the FCT.
The group said: “We support the setting up of a Presidential Task Force in all entry and exit points of the FCT and within the surrounding communities. Let the countries of the world see that the FCT and Nigeria is safe for tourism and investments.
“The reports that over 87 persons had died and 176 kidnapped in FCT has turned the country into a source of “mockery” among the community of nations, and we urged President Bola Tinubu to take proactive actions against the violent crimes and root-out their sponsors.
“FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike should remain resolute, knowing that he has the support of millions of Nigerians around the world. Sadly, these anti-Wike elements that are sponsoring criminality to cause havoc in the FCT are stifling the people, grounding economic growth, and scaring away direct investment activities as most of the victims of kidnappings cut across all strata.
“We are one of the groups that have supported President Bola Tinubu before the presidential primaries and are still behind the President Tinubu, and we urge President Boka Tinubu to empower the Joint Security Task Force to tackle the menace of kidnapping and violent Crimes facing the FCT.
“Nigeria can no longer continue to be a country of gossip from Washington DC to Rome, London, Berlin, Paris, Madrid, Melbourne, and in other countries around the world. Countries of the world should no longer see Nigeria as the den of kidnappers. President Tinubu should ensure that Nigerians are safe.”
