Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, revealed on Monday that President Bola Tinubu has greenlit the emergency procurement of digital tracking tools to combat the increasing incidents of kidnapping and insecurity.
Speaking at a media briefing in Abuja, Wike expressed concerns about the lack of facilities for tracking criminals in the FCTA, except at the Police Headquarters and the Office of the National Security Adviser.
Wike stated, “So many facilities were not provided. Vehicles for the security agencies are not there. You cannot believe that equipment to track criminals is not there. When anything happens, they return to the Office of the National Security Adviser or the Force Headquarters. That is not the way it is supposed to be.”
He further emphasized the need to address the shortage of resources, including vehicles and tracking equipment, to enhance the effectiveness of law enforcement.
Highlighting a previous unmet request from the police for motorcycles to access remote and mountainous areas, Wike pledged to rectify this shortfall, saying, “Unfortunately, they were not provided, but we will do that now.” He stressed the importance of not only providing necessary equipment but also motivating security personnel.
Concerning security strategies, Wike mentioned, “Security is not just this equipment. You also have to motivate the personnel. I don’t want to discuss the strategies because we are discussing security now.”
The announcement coincides with a notable surge in insecurity in the nation’s capital, prompting the Senate to summon Wike for discussions on the worsening situation.
Despite the challenges, recent efforts by security agencies led to the successful rescue of abducted Abuja residents, providing a glimmer of hope amid the ongoing security concerns.
