This incident occurred shortly after a landslide, caused by illegal mining activities, claimed the lives of at least thirty people in the Kuje Area Council of the FCT.
In response to these concerning developments, FCT Minister Nyesom Wike held a maiden meeting with the six Area Council chairpersons. Expressing his displeasure, the minister announced his intention to summon the FCT Director of the Department of State Services and the Commissioner of Police to receive comprehensive briefings on the kidnapping incidents and coordinate rescue efforts.
Wike urged the council leaders to establish surveillance task forces within their respective areas to monitor mining operations. Additionally, he promised to meet with the Minister of Solid Minerals, Dele Alake, to address the issue of illegal mining within the FCT.
Addressing the challenges faced by the councils, Danladi Chiya, the chairman of Kwali Area Council, appealed to Minister Wike and Minister of State Dr. Mariya Mahmoud for assistance.
He said: “When we heard about your appointment, we were happy because you have been a council chairman and, therefore, understand our challenges. Our challenges are inadequate funding of the local government system.
“We have the major challenge of insecurity across the six Area Councils. Just today (yesterday), about 19 people were kidnapped in Bwari Area Council. I just received about five in my council, who were in captivity for about six days.
“The next is the development of satellite towns. The issue of sanitation is one of the major challenges confronting us. There is also no efficient transport facility. The Abuja Urban Mass transit buses are no longer functional.
“Then there is the issue of land allocation. You sit in your council and your backyard will be allocated to someone you don’t even know. Your graveyards and worship centres would be allocated and we are saying that we should be carried along in terms of land allocation.
