FG must install security surveillance system nationwide

Recent insecurity menace in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, has raised alarm of panic. The issues have generated concerns that if the capital city could be under the ravaging spate of kidnapping and myriads of insecurity scourge, then the situation is dire for the entire country, and security assurance therefore a subject of uncertainties.

Following the tolls of incidences of kidnapping and other security breaches in Abuja, several reactions from the government authorities had trailed the development. For instance, after reports that he would be summoned to the Senate to explain rising insecurity menace in the capital city, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr Nyesom Wike, warned against politicisation of insecurity in Abuja.

Wike, during a media chat in Abuja on Monday, claimed that politicians were cashing out on the current security challenges to cause panic among FCT residents. He had expressed concern that instead of commending the efforts of security agencies in addressing insecurity, some residents have continued to create panic by raising false alarms.

“After the first kidnapping incident in Bwari, President Tinubu summoned the service chiefs and my humble self and within a few days you have seen what they have achieved. But nobody is talking about that. Nobody has come to commend them. All you here security has collapsed,” he complained.

“Nigerians forget easily and that is why we have always said let’s not play politics with the issue of security. Remember, some time ago, in the last administration, we were told that bandits came to Kuje prison and wrecked havoc. Nobody said there was no Minister of FCT. There was a minister.

“Nobody talks about FCT being the capital. Remember, there was an administration where terrorists came and burnt the United Nations building here. It was in FCT. Remember, there was an attack to burn the police headquarters. There was a minister.

“All over the world, we have heard where armed men went to school in cities and shot at will, killing 15 to 16 people in the United States, in Britain, as developed as they are. That does not mean that the security in those cities has collapsed,” he had argued.

Giving explanation, Wike said inadequate equipment and operational vehicles were hampering the ongoing war against banditry and kidnappings in Abuja metropolis.

“So many facilities were not provided and vehicles for the security agencies are not there. You cannot believe that equipment to track criminals are not there and when anything happens, security agencies go back to the Office of the National Security Adviser or to the Force Headquarters. That is not the way it is supposed to be,” the Minister had said.

“Again, before we came on board, the police had said that they had requested procurement of a certain number of motorcycles where vehicles cannot get to – the remote areas. Some of these areas are mountainous. Unfortunately, the motorcycles were not provided, but we have been able to do that now,” he added.

On measures to be taken, Wike had said the FCTA would also establish a Joint Task Force with a full command and control structure, well-equipped to respond in security emergencies.

“The next thing is to set up a joint security outfit here, where they have their own structure and equipment so that if anything happens, the task force will know it is its function and move in. Yes, it will cost us some funds and it will take us some time, but what is important is that we have identified that this is a lacuna that we have to cover,” the Minister had said.

It is important to state that political statements would not suffice to wrestle a situation of insecurity menace, not in the capital nor any other part of the Country. Rather, decisive measures combined with concerted responses and the appropriate security architecture are needed to put the situation to rest.

In response to the situation, Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru, recently inaugurated an 8-man committee for the provision and installation of security surveillance systems along Abuja-Kaduna highway and rail line. Badaru had said in Abuja that the provision of the surveillance system was to checkmate the frequent security breaches along the routes.

The Minister further said that the inauguration of the committee signified a remarkable milestone in ensuring safety along the Abuja-Kaduna Highway and Railway.

According to him, the committee was mandated to source for a security surveillance system that meets the technical specifications, ensure its successful installation, and suggest other measures necessary for the seamless implementation of the system.

While such a move is a good measure, it is important to state that the significance of a security surveillance system at this time is a necessity that is not only needed around Abuja, but the entire country, as the ravaging storm of insecurity has spread widely across the Country.

Hence, the Federal Government under whose obligation the primary preserve of security lies, must make the agenda of installation of the surveillance system a nationwide project to strengthen the architecture of security response to tackle the turbulence of insecurity menace which is assuming a worrisome dimension.