The Minister of State, Nigeria’s Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Dr Mariya Mahmoud, has assured residents of the territory that the efforts put in place by the FCT Administration to address the issues of insecurity across the territory will soon yield positive results.
The Minister gave this assurance when she paid a sympathy visit to the family of Al-Kadriyar Mansoor, whose daughters were recently released after several days in the kidnappers’ den.
Mahmoud stressed that since the reported cases of kidnapping in recent times, the FCT Minister, Barrister Nyesom Wike, has been on his feet doing all that is necessary to improve the security situation in the city centre including the satellite towns.
In her words, “I am sure the people of FCT will also bear witness to our collective efforts in tackling insecurity. They have seen how we have been up and doing since this incident of kidnapping and other security matters.
“His Excellency, Barrister Nyesom Wike, has been on his feet. We have been doing all that is necessary to improve our security situation in FCT.
“All the support to be given to the security agencies has been put in place and also some materials and equipment they need to carry out their work are in the process.
“So also the issue of the access road, we think will improve the security situation in FCT and the satellite towns.
“I am sure you too have seen that the issue of kidnapping is going down, but we want it at a zero level.“
She, however, expressed satisfaction over the victim’s state of health, noting that they are in a stable condition.
According to her, “We are here today in the house of Mr. Alkadriyar Mansoor, because of the tragedy that happened to the family.
“Precisely the issue of kidnapping of his five female children but released by the support of the government and family members.
“So we have come to support the family and to tell them that the FCT Administration is with them.
“By and large, we are here to see how they cope psychologically, mentally and spiritually. And we thank Almighty Allah for their lives and health because they are in a stable condition.”
In his response, the father of the children, who was also a victim, Mr Alkadriyar Mansoor, thanked the minister for the show of love, even as he called on the administration to extend the same to other victims.
He also called on the administration to equip the security agencies more, adding that the current equipment used by security agencies cannot measure up with the equipment used by the bandits.
He said, “I am highly elated that the FCT Administration deemed it necessary to pay my family visit, of which there are several other families who have been victims of kidnappers.
“And I wish they would extend the gesture they have extended to me to other families who have been kidnapped like this as well.
“Nevertheless, I want the government to improve security in the local areas within FCT. Bwari, in especially is so porous. Bwari borders about three or four states. And of which if action is not taken it might escalate to other things I don’t expect.
“And the Nigerian Police Force needs to be empowered more—most especially those in the rural areas and not in the city centres.
“What they have in their hands, the equipment they have cannot measure up with what the criminals are using nowadays.
“So buying them vehicles is not the only thing. Buy them gadgets that they will use to work.“
The minister was accompanied by the Mandate Secretary, Women Affairs Secretariat, Hon. Adedayo Benjamins-Laniyi, the Director of FCT Reforms Coordination and Service Improvement, Dr. Jumai Ahmadu and the Deputy Director in charge of Child Development, Mr. Idris Yahaya.
The high point of the visit was the presentation of items and an undisclosed amount of cash to the family.
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