The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, says the rate of crime in Abuja has greatly reduced despite recent reports of robbery and other security concerns in the city.
Wike said this on Friday during a media chat with journalists while reacting to questions about insecurity and the killing of an Arise Television journalist, Somtochukwu Christelle Maduagwu, during a robbery.
“The rate of crime in Abuja has drastically reduced. That does not mean you cannot see any crime being committed. All over the world, every day you wake up, crime is being committed here and there, but that does not mean the security agencies are not tackling it,” the minister said.
He faulted claims that insecurity in the FCT was getting worse, saying such comments were not based on facts.
“So when you talk about a spike, what is your statistics? Just because something happened to your colleague yesterday and that means there’s been a spike? You have no statistics,” Wike told reporters.
He said efforts by his administration and security agencies had improved safety in the city, especially compared to previous years when crimes on highways were common.
Wike also urged journalists to recognise the progress made by security operatives instead of highlighting only negative incidents.
He said, “We should appreciate the security agencies for their work. A single incident should not define the entire security situation in the capital.”
