Wike was also briefed about yesterday’s kidnap of 19 persons in the Bwari Area Council of the FCT.

While briefing the FCT Minister on the challenges confronting the area councils, Danladi Chiya, Kwali Area Council Boss, said they needed assistance.JAMB Portal

“We have the major challenge of insecurity across the six Area Councils. Just today (Thursday), about 19 people were kidnapped in Bwari Area Council. I just received about five in my council who were in captivity for about six days.

“There is also no efficient transport facility. The Abuja Urban Mass transit buses are no longer functional.NYSC Portal

“Then there is the issue of land allocation. You sit in your council, and your backyard will be allocated to someone you don’t even know. Your graveyards and worship centres would be allocated and we are saying that we should be carried along in terms of land allocation.

“They give letters of consent to Chinese people. Just a few days ago, there was a landslide that took the lives of 30 people as a result of the activities of illegal miners. We appeal to you to engage the Minister of Mines to stop mining in the FCT.”

On his part, Chairman, Bwari Area Council, John Gabaya, advocated greater inclusion of council chairmen in land allocations.

“Sometime ago in 2017, I was a Council Staff then. All the council lands departments are centralized in Area 11 and since then there is no way of checkmating their activities.

“If you look at Dutse, you will see unplanned developments and you would be wondering who is controlling them. We only watch. We can’t do anything because we can’t control them.”

Shocked by the reports from the council chairmen, Wike promised to summon the FCT Director of State Security Services and the Commissioner of Police for adequate briefings and to facilitate rescue operations for the kidnapped victims.

He also asked the chairmen to set up surveillance taskforce in their respective areas to monitor mining activities, adding that he would meet with the Minister for Solid Minerals, Dele Alake, to eliminate illegal mining in the FCT.

He said: “I am here to work for the FCT, not to work for any political party. I am here to support the administration of Asiwaju to realize the dreams of the founding fathers. It doesn’t matter your political affiliations or religion, I am here to serve all.

“We cannot achieve anything without support from the councils. We are not struggling for power and so we have to collaborate.

“It is in your interest as council chairmen to work for the people and that you can do by collaborating with us. What affects you affects me and so I will not be anywhere and allow Area Councils to be shortchanged.

“I will want to advise that we manage what we have but we will work to ensure that you get what you are supposed to get and nobody will shortchange you.

“Insecurity is a major problem all over and those of you who are outside the municipality, you have to work hard. Information is key. The incident of kidnap you talked about, nobody has reported that to me.

“It is a serious issue and we need to call an emergency security meeting. I have to call the Director of SSS and the CP now to give me more details because it is very embarrassing to me. I am happy you said the SSS official and the DPO in the affected council are informed and on the situation.

“On sanitation, we have a problem. Sanitation is a big issue. It is the duty of the council not just to collect the fees but to dispose of refuse. We have to sit down and work together on this by adopting a common template.

“On illegal mining, I will talk to the minister. Ordinarily, I would say you should also form your own surveillance taskforce as Chief Security Officers of your councils and make arrests and we will support you. However, I will meet with the minister.”