Eid al-Adha: Abuja Authorities assures residents of hitch-free celebrations

Residents of the Federal Capital Territory, (FCT) have been assured of their security and safety during the upcoming Eid al-Adha celebrations.

The FCT, Permanent Secretary, Mr Olusade Adesola gave the assurance after the monthly Security Committee meeting held in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital.

Mr Adesola who chaired the meeting disclosed that there will be intensified patrol operations as well as an increase in intelligence operations which will be carried out individually and jointly by the various security organisations in the FCT.

Speaking on some of the highlights and resolutions of the meeting, Adesola said there was a renewed resolve by the security agencies to continue to work in unison as a family for the security of the Territory adding that this was largely responsible for the peace and stability in the Territory.

He also revealed that the security agencies had made breakthroughs in the fight against organized crime with the recent arrest of the leaders of a major “one-chance” syndicate responsible for many criminal activities in the FCT.

Speaking on the ongoing removal of shanties, squatter settlements and illegal residences along the airport road Mr Olusade said the exercise which would extend to other illegal settlements across the FCT is intended to ensure that hoodlums that have hitherto dominated those environments will no longer have bases from which to operate.

While reviewing the public health issues of Cholera and Covid-19, he said the Committee was impressed with the efforts of the FCTA health authorities in tackling cholera and reminded residents that treatment for the disease is administered free based on the directives of the FCT Minister.

He urged residents to continue to follow the prescribed non-pharmaceutical intervention which includes facial coverings, constant hand washing and physical distancing to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Adesola also said that the issue of street begging and its security implications were also discussed and called on residents to desist from giving alms to beggars on the streets as this will only encourage an increase in the practice.

“We also discussed the issue of the proliferation of street beggars. We know it is indeed a rising social problem. But what we enjoin the citizens to do is to make their alms in a legal manner. Go to the hospitals, go to the places of worship, go to the orphanages and make your support there. This will be used for a better purpose because when you give a beggar you don’t know his antecedents as any alms given on the road,  could be used for drugs or even arms,“ he added.

He also called on residents to cooperate with security agencies and fellow citizens to safeguard lives and property in the FCT.

Also speaking, the Commander, Defence Headquarters Garrison, Major General Preye Fakrogha said a lot of emphases was being placed on synergy amongst security agencies to enhance security operations in the FCT.

The FCT Security Committee is comprised of heads of the various military and paramilitary formations across the FCT, the heads of religious and traditional institutions, Area Council Chairman as well as heads of the relevant Departments and Agencies of the FCTA.

PIAK