The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has directed security agencies to establish a committee monitoring the influx of individuals who may present potential security threats to the nation’s capital.
This directive was revealed by the FCT Commissioner of Police, Olatunji Disu, during a press briefing following the FCT Security Committee meeting held in Abuja on Tuesday.
The meeting, chaired by Minister Wike, brought together the chairmen of the six area councils within the FCT, indicating a collaborative approach to enhancing security measures across the territory.
Commissioner Disu elaborated on the minister’s directive, highlighting the establishment of a specialised committee tasked with monitoring the movement of “Almajiris,” as well as other suspicious individuals entering the territory.
Almajiris, children who leave their families to seek Islamic education in Qur’anic schools primarily located in northern Nigeria, have been identified as a group requiring special attention in terms of security.
The newly formed committee will comprise representatives from various security agencies operating in the FCT, including the Nigeria Police, Nigerian Navy, Department of State Services, and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps. Disu noted that the committee’s primary focus will be to collaborate with area council chairmen to identify Almajiri schools within the territory. Additionally, the committee will profile school owners and the educational content provided by these institutions.
To ensure the safety of the children, the schools, and the surrounding communities, the committee will engage with school proprietors to ascertain how the government can assist them in their operations. This proactive initiative is a critical component of the FCT Administration’s strategy to address rising security concerns and maintain peace in the capital.
Disu indicated that the committee has a two-week timeframe to submit its findings and recommendations back to the minister. In the meantime, he reported that security clearance operations are currently underway across the FCT, leading to the arrest of five individuals suspected of posing a security threat. These individuals are now under investigation.
The commissioner urged residents of the FCT to remain vigilant and proactive in reporting any unfamiliar faces in their neighbourhoods to the appropriate authorities.
“Everybody should be security-conscious. Please let us profile people coming into our environment; we need to know them,” Disu stressed, calling on all citizens to play an active role in safeguarding their environment.
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