METRO Committee seeks residents’ support to stem vandalism

By Stanley Onyekwere

Residents of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have been urged to cooperate with security agencies to curb the incessant vandalization of critical public infrastructure in the Territory.

The FCT Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Dr. Peter Maigari made the appeal, following the monthly meeting of the FCT Security Committee last week, a statement from Director of Press, office of the FCT Minister, Anthony Ogunleye, stated.

Maigari implored residents to cultivate the habit of reporting to security operatives when they see something unusual.

“My clarion call to members of the public is “See something, say something.

“Call us and inform us of what is happening around you concerning vandalization so that we can quickly nip it in the bud. Timely information is required”, he said.

He also said that the NSCDC has put various measures in place to deter the vandals as well as ensure that they are caught and prosecuted.

He said, “We have activated several things and put in place measures to checkmate such, ranging from night and day patrols, and arresting those we find culpable of vandalising these items to make sure that we stem the tide of all these criminal activities”.

On his part, the FCT Commissioner of Police, Sadiq had stressed the need for intelligence led policing while also calling on residents to work with security agencies for the overall security of the FCT.

The FCT has of recent suffered a spate in the vandalisation of critical public infrastructure especially solar powered street lights.

The Committee also bade farewell to Rev (Dr) Samson Jonah, the outgoing Chairman of the FCT Chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) who attended the meeting for the last time as his tenure as FCT CAN Chairman had come to an end.

The FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello who chaired the meeting described Dr Jonah as a committed member of the Security Committee who participated actively in the Committee and wished him well in his future endeavours.

The meeting had in attendance the FCT Minister of State, Dr. Ramatu Tijjani Aliyu, the Chief of Staff to the FCT Minister, Malam Bashir Mai-Bornu the Executive Secretary, FCDA Engr Shehu Hadi Ahmed, heads of the various security agencies in the FCT, Area Council Chairmen, Mandate Secretaries, traditional and religious leaders and heads of relevant departments and agencies in the FCTA.

FCT Minister , Malam Muhammad Musa Bello (2nd left) flanked by senior officials of the Nigeria Correctional Services, (NCS) in a handshake with the Controller General NCS Haliru Nababa following the ourtesy visit by the NCS management to the FCTA, yesterday in Abuja. Photo: Mahmud Isa