Abba – Eku Onyeka
Abuja
Inhabitants of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have been assured of their security and safety during the Eid-El-Kabir celebrations.
In a press release from the Chief Press Secretary (CPS), Anthony Ogunleye yesterday, the assurance was given by the Permanent Secretary, FCT Administration (FCTA), Mr Olusade Adesola following the monthly FCT Security Committee meeting.
Mr Olusade who chaired the meeting disclosed that there would be intensified patrol operations and increase in intelligence operations which, according to him, would 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, the Permanent Secretary said that 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.
On the ongoing removal of shanties, squatter settlements and illegal residences along the airport road, Olusade said the exercise which will extend to other illegal settlement across the FCT is intended to ensure that hoodlums that have hitherto dominated those environment will no longer have bases from which to operate.
He also reviewed the public health issues of Cholera and COVID-19 and said the Committee was impressed with the efforts of the FCTA health authorities in tackling cholera, and reminded residents that treatment for the disease was administered freely, based on the directives of the FCT Minister, just as he urged residents to continue to follow the prescribed non-pharmaceutical intervention which include facial coverings, constant hand washing and physical distancing to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
The PermSec said that the issue of street begging with its security implications was also discussed and called on residents to desist from giving alms to beggars on the streets, saying that it will encourage an increase in the practice, even as he 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, Maj. Gen. Preye Fakrogha said a lot of emphasis 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.