We’ll make it hot for you, Wike dares kidnappers, says enough is enough

On Wednesday, Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Ezenwo Nyesom Wike began visiting Area Councils in the territory to foster confidence, announcing that security agencies would make it more difficult for bandits going forward.

During his visit to the Bwari Area Council headquarters in Bwari town, Wike convened a town hall meeting with locals, traditional leaders, security, defence, and intelligence personnel, as well as other relevant parties.

In the upcoming days, the minister is anticipated to visit additional Councils.

At the gathering, Wike said that enough was enough and that informants for the bandits would not be allowed to continue sleeping among respectable citizens.

"One of the top priorities of Mr. President's administration is security," he declared. Due to recent attacks, especially in Bwari, Mr. President called a high-level security meeting yesterday (Tuesday), which includes the Minister of Defence, myself, and all of the Service Chiefs. Therefore, it is currently one of the top priorities that the President's Renewed Hope Agenda seeks to address head-on.

"Things will not be the same as before. I'm here to demonstrate to you that we take this seriously. It's enough, bandits, all of you. We promise to exert every effort to prevent this from occurring in the future.
"Everything must be done to safeguard property and human life. Government is useless if it cannot safeguard people's lives and property. I'm here today to reassure you that this is a serious matter for us. It's enough, bandits and all those criminals. We promise to exert every effort to ensure that this doesn't occur once more. That's why the President just granted me permission this morning to give the security agencies everything they need. We are serious, and in line with what Etsu- and Sarkin-Bwari said, it is not just talk.

"We will supply all necessary equipment, so security agencies won't have any justification to claim they are underprepared. Bwari's size is known to me, I know that you have boundaries with three states -Niger State, Kaduna State and Nasarawa State. I know because these bandits were chased away from the Northeast, so they are making their way here, we will make it hot for them”.
Wike also asked for the public's help, particularly in terms of supplying intelligence to law enforcement.

"There is nothing we can do without information, which is where you come in. You have a great role to play, traditional and community leaders. Information sharing with security agencies is necessary.

"You will witness action from the security agencies in the coming days. Even in this meeting room, there may be informants. You can be who you want to be. I don't give a damn. As the Minister of FCT, I am. It won't let you sleep again. Tellers, you will never sleep again.

We refuse to take a seat in the city.

In an attempt to raise money for a ransom, the minister discouraged the public from using crowdfunding, claiming that it gives terrorists the means to carry out more attacks.

"We need to give up on the idea of announcing our plans to raise money on the radio. These bandits are pleased that people are raising money and showing concern when you do that. He said, "I know you're worried that your loved ones are with kidnappers, but we have to work tirelessly to dissuade them.

John Gabaya, the chairman of the Bwari Area Council, earlier recalled that during the week preceding Christmas last year, kidnappers brutally attacked the quiet rural community of Tokulo, gravely injuring several people and kidnapping some of the villagers.
"Kidnappers also broke into Zuma village, a Bwari town suburb, before the end of December 2023, killing two people and kidnapping a few more."

"Sadly, kidnappers once more attacked Dutse-Sagwari, a community near the Dutse-Bwari Motorway, in the first few days of the New Year. During this attack, a number of people were also taken hostage. Shortly after this tragic event, kidnappers launched another attack on Padan-Gwari Village, capturing more villagers in the process. Most recently, kidnappers attacked Kawu Village once more with great ferocity, inflicting injuries and taking some hostages.

These are the depressing and gloomy situations we have encountered over the past month. Even with the severity of these disasters, the Council has resisted giving up and losing.
He asked the minister for assistance in supplying security agencies with the vehicles, motorcycles, and fuel they needed to tackle security challenges in the best possible way.