Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, mentioned that many recent kidnapping cases in FCT were actually planned.
He also stated that there has been a significant improvement in the security situation in the area.
Wike shared this information on Wednesday at the National Assembly while talking to reporters following a two-hour private meeting with the Senate about FCT's security status and the steps being taken to address it.
The Senate held a closed-door meeting with the FCT Minister and the Commissioner of Police, Benneth Igwe.
Following the closed-door session, Wike reported a decrease in criminal activity in FCT and mentioned the arrest of two of the most wanted kidnappers in the area.
He did, however, acknowledge that while FCT hasn't reached its desired security level, significant progress has been made, as confirmed by lawmakers.
Additionally, he noted that it's not feasible to completely eliminate crime in any society, but assured that the FCT administration, in collaboration with security agencies, will continue working to safeguard lives and property in the nation's capital.
Wike expressed, “Even the Senators acknowledged the considerable improvement in security in FCT. No part of the world is free from crime.
“What we aim for is to minimize insecurity. It's not accurate to claim that any society can be free from all forms of crime, and we must be honest about that.”
He added that instances of kidnapping in FCT are at times orchestrated by untrustworthy individuals in the community, while reassuring that security agencies will continue to work on securing the release of kidnapped victims.
The FCT minister explained, “The reported kidnappings are sometimes planned by certain individuals. There are internal arrangements involved.
“For instance, there may be a housekeeper and a driver who conspire to abduct their employer's child.
“In such cases, our options are limited. Our focus is on ensuring the safe release of the kidnapped individual.”
He elaborated, “However, preventing such crimes is challenging due to the involvement of insiders, such as a driver responsible for bringing a child from school planning the kidnapping.”
The FCT Commissioner of Police, Igwe, assured residents of their safety in FCT and its surroundings, and mentioned that the command has devised new strategies to effectively deal with criminals, especially the “One Chance” armed robbers causing fear in the city.
The meeting also included the FCT Director of the DSS, ADG Ado Muazu, and the Commandant of the NSCDC, Olusola Odumosu.
