By Ben Adoga, Abuja
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, on Monday dismissed claims that banditry has taken root in Abuja, insisting that the nation’s capital does not face the type of armed criminal activities witnessed in some parts of the country.
Speaking with journalists after inspecting several ongoing infrastructure projects across the FCT, the minister maintained that although crime exists in every society, Abuja cannot be described as a banditry-ridden city.
“There is nowhere in the world where you will say there is no crime,” Wike said. “Even in the most developed countries, incidents still occur. But as far as I know, there is no banditry in Abuja.”
He argued that the public often focuses on isolated incidents while ignoring the numerous crimes security agencies have successfully prevented.
According to him, “We only hear about an incident when it happens, but nobody talks about the many crimes security agencies have stopped. We should commend them for the work they are doing.”
The minister cited a recent kidnapping incident in the Bwari Area Council, noting that security operatives responded swiftly and rescued the victims.
“Last time, some people were kidnapped in Bwari, but they were all rescued. What matters is how seriously security agencies respond, and they are taking their work very seriously,” he said.
Wike also urged residents and the media to support security efforts rather than amplify fear through constant reports of isolated crimes.
“We shouldn’t keep advertising one crime when about fifty others have been prevented. People should also commend the security agencies and the administration for reducing crime,” he added.
Project Inspections
Earlier in the day, the minister inspected four major infrastructure projects across the Federal Capital Territory as part of ongoing development under the administration.
The inspection tour began at Karsana, where he assessed the construction of access roads linking the Renewed Hope City housing project with Kubwa.
He also visited the N-16 road project, including an interchange connecting Jahi and Gwarimpa, before moving to Kuje to inspect ongoing works along the Airport Road corridor.
Commending the contractor handling the project, Wike expressed satisfaction with the pace and quality of work.
“You can see they are laying the final beam of the final bridge, and they have assured us that by the end of May, the road will be completed,” he said.
He noted that the road project would significantly ease movement between the Kuje Area Council and the city centre.
“Once that road is completed, people living in Kuje will be able to go to work in the city and return home without difficulty,” he explained.
The minister later inspected the 13-kilometre road linking Kuje to Gwagwalada, again praising the contractor for maintaining steady progress.
According to him, the contractor has promised to deliver the project before May, allowing it to be commissioned by President Bola Tinubu during the administration’s third anniversary celebrations.
Civil Servants, Informants and Crime
Wike also raised concerns about the involvement of some civil servants in illegal land acquisition and warned that such practices would not be tolerated.
He further suggested that criminal activities such as robbery and kidnapping often rely on insider information.
“An armed robber cannot go to a place where no people are linking him to the target. There must be someone close providing information,” he said.
“Kidnappers also don’t just pick victims randomly; there is usually an informant somewhere within the system.”
Despite the challenges, the minister assured residents that the FCT administration would remain firm in addressing wrongdoing within government institutions.
“That will not deter us. We will continue to do what is right and will not look away simply because some civil servants may be involved,” he stated.
