A devastating tragedy has unfolded in the Kuje Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, where at least 30 lives were tragically lost in a landslide. This calamity, reportedly triggered by the activities of illegal miners, has left the community in shock and mourning.
In a separate incident, 19 individuals were abducted in the Bwari Area Council of Abuja on Thursday, compounding the distressing situation in the region.
During a meeting between FCT Minister Nyesom Wike and six Area Council Chairmen, the council area chairman revealed these grim developments. Expressing deep concern, Wike pledged to meet with the Director of the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Commissioner of Police in Abuja to gather essential information regarding the kidnappings and initiate rescue operations.
Furthermore, he instructed the council chairmen to establish surveillance task forces in their respective areas to monitor mining activities more closely.
Wike also promised to coordinate with his counterpart in the Solid Minerals sector, Dele Alake, to combat the issue of illegal mining plaguing the FCT.
Addressing the challenges facing the councils, Danladi Chiya, Chairman of the Kwali Area Council, appealed to the Minister for assistance. He highlighted several pressing issues, including inadequate funding, heightened insecurity, development of satellite towns, sanitation challenges, transportation deficits, land allocation disputes, and the responsibility of paying primary school teachers.
Abdullahi Sabo, Chairman of the Kuje Area Council, echoed the concerns about illegal mining activities and the indiscriminate granting of mining licenses. He stressed the urgency of engaging the Minister of Mines to address this issue.
In response, Wike assured the council chairmen of his commitment to addressing these challenges, emphasizing his dedication to the betterment of the FCT and its residents, regardless of political affiliations or religious beliefs. He urged collaboration between his office and the Area Councils to effectively serve the people and promised to ensure that they receive their rightful support.
Wike expressed deep concern about the security situation, especially the recent kidnappings, and pledged to convene an emergency security meeting. He emphasized the importance of information sharing and encouraged the council chairmen to work diligently to secure their respective areas, promising full support from his office.
Regarding sanitation and illegal mining, Wike pledged to engage with relevant authorities to find lasting solutions, demonstrating his commitment to tackling the multifaceted challenges facing the region.
