We’re Now Ready To Fight Crime In Abuja — Says FCT NSCDC After Launching 3 Gun Trucks

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has commissioned three gun trucks and flagged off a special squad to boost the fight against insecurity in Abuja.

The commissioning took place on Thursday at the command’s Headquarters in Wuse Zone 5, Abuja.

During the event, the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, who was represented by the FCTA Director of Security Services, Mr. Adamu Gwary, noted the importance of security agencies working collaboratively to eliminate criminal elements.

Gwary said the minister remains committed to providing necessary resources, including communication equipment, motorcycles, and operational vehicles to support security agencies in their fight against crime.

“The security challenges nationwide have drastically improved as security agencies have worked together to eradicate the criminal elements disturbing the security agencies. It is germane to provide security agencies the impetus to combat crimes. We are dedicated to providing all that is needed to fight the criminals” he said.

According to him, Wike has “approved the acquisition of Communication equipment, motorcycles, and operational vehicles in the hinterlands. He is ever ready to support security agencies for optimal performance.

“To the squad, it is one thing to be given the opportunity to perform and another to show your dedication. The best gift to give the CG is to make judicious use of this equipment and contribute your quota to the security of the country and territory and see your effort transmitted to the security of the territory where residents will sleep peacefully.”

He urged the officers to “adequately protect critical national assets and infrastructure” and “prove to the CG that it is not an effort in futility. We will provide logistics support as an epitome of trying to provide support to the FCT.”

While giving his speech, the Commandant General of NSCDC, Dr. Ahmed Abubakar Audi, acknowledged the challenges posed by asymmetric conflicts.

He cautioned the personnel against using the gun trucks to harass, intimidate, or molest civilians.

“You must respect fundamental human rights. It must only be used for those who have deprived good Nigerians of their sleep. Do this with sister agencies as the police is the main agency in charge of protection of internal security. We are ready to strengthen our efforts and work in synergy. To whom much is given, much is expected.

“You are charged to live up to expectations and nip problems in the bud through proactive measures. Nigerians should give credible intelligence information which will be distributed among agencies and together we will take proactive measures. There is coordination and togetherness in our operations so far,” Audi added.

On his part, the NSCDC FCT Commandant, Olusola Odumosu, who played the host, thanked the CG for the support, and stressed the need to match the proactiveness of the FCT Minister.

Odumosu appealed to the FCT minister for provision of additional operational vehicles, communication gadgets, protective wear, and other equipment.

He further appealed for renovation of NSCDC offices, a dedicated training center, and residential land for affordable housing to enhance the command’s efficiency.

“I want to thank my boss, the CG, for his immense support. He not only gave approval, he supported us with 3 gun trucks and the retraining of the officers and men of the special tactical squad over the last 8 weeks. He has also assured us that the three crime fighting equipment being commissioned today are the first set among others equipment to come.

“By this act of empowerment by the CG, the FCT Command is now charged and recalibrated to face crime and criminality headlong. Besides our regular patrols, the tactical squad will be strategically positioned within the territory to ward off criminals. We are not stopping at this, a special training will soon commence for the retraining of officers and men of the Intelligence and Investigation Department.

“Our human capital and the spread we have among the populace is a huge advantage to our sourcing of human intelligence. With credible intelligence reports and standby quick response teams, I am convinced that those who have chosen to become enemies of the state will not have a hiding place,” he said

Odumosu further said, “as a Command, we will continue to do all that it takes to rid the FCT of criminal elements. This is not without the support from our result oriented Hon. Minister of the FCT. Your Excellency, Minister Sir, I know you have at different fora made commitments and express your willingness to continue to support security agencies in the FCT for enhanced service delivery.

“Sir, we need more operational vehicles and communication gadgets, protective wears and other vital equipment to meet the increased expansion of our operation. Also, the need for effective coverage of various suburbs in the six Area Councils necessitated this request. For easy access to the hinterland, motorcycles are needed. Currently, our motorcycles are no longer serviceable due to prolonged use.

“Your Excellency, if you take a tour of this building, you will see that a whole wing of the topmost floor is not in use. This is because the roof gave way to a windstorm some time ago. We now have a situation where our personnel are now squeezed into available office spaces. This you will agree with me would not yield productive results. We highly solicit your intervention to direct the relevant department at FCDA to renovate and put the office back in shape. A conducive working environment will help us to function optimally.

“Also, your Excellency (the FCT minister), we desire to have a space of our own to fulfill our training needs. The constantly evolving security challenges require active preparedness and combat readiness to respond to emergencies even at short notices.

“We are currently using a borrowed space, and we would appreciate it if your excellency could allocate a befitting land for us to build FCT Command’s Training Center where we can carry out our training and other manpower development programs. In addition to addressing our training challenges, our gallant officers and men, many of whom are coming from very unimaginable distances to work, have asked me to appeal to you for allocation of residential land for an affordable mass housing scheme to cushion the cost of living in the FCT.

“On our part, we will continue to do our best to promote peace and order in the FCT. The newly acquired gun trucks for the command will no doubt accentuate our capabilities to combat vandals of Critical National Assets and infrastructure, and in collaboration with other security agencies, wage war against bandits, kidnappers, one chance syndicates and all other enemies of peace in the land. I assure you, it will no longer be business as usual,” Odumosu assured.

The Chairman, House Committee on Interior, Abdullahi Aliyu Amed, announced the donation of 10 motorcycles to the FCT command at the event.