The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, emphasized the critical importance of security in governance, declaring that any government unable to secure lives and property has no business in office. Wike made this assertion on Friday while overseeing the distribution of 50 operational vehicles to various security agencies in Abuja.
“We are no longer talking about infrastructure or the development of the area councils,” Wike stated at the event held in Area 11. “We are now focusing on the key factor, the key agenda, which is security.”
Highlighting the Bola Tinubu administration’s commitment to public safety, Wike continued, “One of the key priorities of Mr. President is the security of life and property. Any government that cannot secure lives and property has no business in governance, so it’s a priority for Mr. President that Nigerians are secured.”
Wike elaborated on the government’s role, saying, “…it is not the responsibility of Mr. President to identify where the criminals are. It is not my responsibility to engage the criminals, but it is our responsibility to provide the necessary tools for the security agencies to confront these criminals and ensure we can sleep with our two eyes closed.”
Drawing from his experience as a governor, Wike warned against the misuse of the newly provided vehicles. “I want to appeal to our security agents: you must use these tools for the benefit of our society. It’s very key. I was a governor and I know how many times I provided some of these logistics and vehicles, and then within two months, you cannot account for them. That’s unfair.”
He continued, “It is not for you to use as a private vehicle because it is air-conditioned. You should not use it to carry your wives instead of for the purpose it was provided. I’m saying this with a lot of experience. You go to the CP’s house, three are parked there. It’s not necessary.”
Wike commended the security agencies for their efforts in reducing crime in the city but stressed the need for these efforts to extend to rural areas. “You are doing a wonderful job as far as the city is concerned, but our efforts must be taken to rural areas because they’ve been hijacked. Let it not be that the people will not feel the presence of these vehicles.”
He urged security agencies to demonstrate their readiness to combat crime. “Those criminals are watching us now. Let us tell them that yesterday they escaped, but today they are likely not to escape. Let them know that you are serious.”
Wike also called for public support for the security agencies, acknowledging their often-unrecognized successes in preventing crimes. He urged citizens to “continue to support them, and pray for them; they are also humans and have families.”
Below is a breakdown of the 50 vehicles distributed to the security agencies:
- Police FCT Command — 24 vehicles
- Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), FCT Command — 8 vehicles
- Department of State Services (DSS), FCT—5 vehicles
- Guards Brigade, Nigerian Army—3 vehicles
- Nigeria Air Force, 053 NAF Camp Abuja—1 vehicle
- Naval Unit Abuja—1 vehicle
- Nigeria Immigration Service—1 vehicle
- National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA)—1 vehicle
- Advance Party/Security Monitoring FCTA—6 vehicles
