Paramilitary security agencies, including the Nigerian Immigration Service and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency have drawn a battle line with the Minister of Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, alleging exclusion from monthly security meetings in the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA).
The Comptroller of FCT Command, Mr Tony Akuneme made the allegation in an interview on Sunday in Abuja, appealed to paramilitary agencies in FCT not to be deterred by Wike’s decision in view of the worsening security threats in Nigeria.
The News Agency of Nigeria, NAN said, “But for some reason, the present FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, since assumption, has not summoned that expanded security meeting held monthly for reasons best known to him,” said Mr Akuneme.
“We think he prefers to use the police, army, DSS, and NSCDC. In the wisdom of the minister, these are the most important. Others are not relevant to his plans,”
Akuneme told NAN.
Mr Akuneme stressed that with over 1,500 personnel in Abuja who gather intelligence in handling insecurity, the development “is not right at all and should be reversed”.
He also said all the heads of security agencies, members of faith-based organisations and traditional rulers in FCT come together under the FCT minister’s leadership to discuss security issues in the past.
The NIS Comptroller recalled that he had written to the minister on behalf of other heads of paramilitary agencies to express their surprise at the exclusion, adding that he had yet to receive an acknowledgement or reply.
“We appeal to the minister to look into this matter. There’s a need for us to be part of that meeting,” he added.
NAN quoted Mr Akuneme as saying that the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) that should be queried about one-chance in FCT roads, and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), which knows the activities of drug addicts, are excluded in the war against insecurity.
“Half of the crimes committed in FCT are committed by non-Nigerians who are scattered all over the FCT. It’s only the immigration officers who can profile them,” he said.
Mr Akuneme said NIS officers across the area councils gather information about non-Nigerians’ movement in the FCT, according to NAN.
“However, the FCT Administration does not effectively use this approach to tackle insecurity because the communication channel has been closed.
“So, the minister’s action of excluding heads of paramilitary agencies from security meetings in FCTA is counterproductive and should be reversed,” Mr Akuneme stated.
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