19 people were abducted yesterday in the Bwari Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
This occurred in light of the fact that not less than 30 persons were recently murdered in a landslip in the Kuje Area Council of the FCT that was brought on by the actions of illegal miners.
The six chairmen of the Area Councils met for the first time yesterday with Nyesom Wike, the FCT Minister.
The minister, who was upset by the events, announced that he would call the FCT Director of the Department of State Services and the Commissioner of Police to acquire sufficient updates on the kidnapping and help with rescue efforts.
In addition, he said he will meet with his colleague in Solid Minerals, Dele Alake, to discuss ending illicit mining in the FCT. He requested the council heads to establish surveillance task forces in respective regions to monitor mining operations.
Speaking about the difficulties the councils are facing, the chairman of the Kwali Area Council, Danladi Chiya, pleaded with the minister and the Minister of State, Dr. Mariya Mahmoud, to assist them.
“We were happy to hear about your appointment because you have served as a council chairman and understand our challenges,” he remarked. The local government system’s underfunding is one of our problems.
“Across the six Area Councils, security is a huge problem for us. Around 19 persons were abducted in Bwari Area Council only today (yesterday). My council and I recently received five people who had been held captive for around six days.
The growth of satellite towns comes next. One of the biggest problems we have is the issue of sanitation. Additionally, there is no reliable transportation system. Buses used for the Abuja Urban Mass Transit are no longer in service.
“The allotment of land is another matter. If you sit on the council, someone you don’t even know will get the backyard. We are requesting that we be included in the land distribution process for your cemeteries and places of worship.
The local governments are in charge of overseeing instructors in elementary schools. The council, which according to the legislation is intended to be 60-40 percent, is responsible for paying the salary of the UBE. We are begging you to assist us so that this matter may be investigated.
A threat from illegal miners
Abdullahi Sabo, the chairman of the Kuje Area Council, bemoaned the danger posed by unlicensed miners.
John Gabaya, the chairman of the Bwari Area Council, argued in favour of involving council chairs more in land distributions.
Wike responds
Wike responded to the problems by promising to fix them and expressing his understanding of their plight as a former council leader.
“Insecurity is a major issue everywhere, and those of you who live outside the municipality must work hard,” he stated. Knowledge is essential.
“No one has ever reported the kidnapping event you mentioned to me. We must convene an urgent security meeting due to the seriousness of the situation. It is quite humiliating for me, therefore I need to phone the CP and the Director of DSS right once to get further information. However, I’m glad to hear that the DSS official and the DPO of the impacted council are aware of the problem and alerted.
“We have an issue with sanitation. Sanitation is a major problem. The council is responsible for collecting fees as well as disposing of trash. This requires that we all get together and work on it using a shared framework.
“I’ll speak with the minister about unlawful mining. Normally, I would advise you to create your own surveillance taskforce in your capacity as the councils’ chief security officers, make arrests, and get our cooperation. I’ll still see the minister, though.
Earlier, the Permanent Secretary in the FCTA, Mr. Olusade Adesola, and the Minister of State for the FCT, Dr. Mariya Mahmoud, emphasised the administration’s desire to work with the councils to achieve equitable development of the territory.
