The FCT Minister, Muhammad Musa Bello has enjoined the Area Council Chairmen and all the 17 graded traditional rulers in the Federal Capital Territory to stop any act that could lead to breakdown of law and order in their various domains.
He gave this advice during an emergency meeting with the Council Chairmen, FCT Graded Chiefs, FCT Police Commissioner, FCT Director of DSS, Ag. Secretaries, Area Council Councils Services and
Agriculture & Rural Development Secretariats, in Gwarinpa I District (Life-Camp), Abuja.
Bello restated that the meeting was convened to specifically brainstorm on security concerns to ensure that the FCT remain peaceful and proactive.
The Minister asked the Council officials and the Traditional Rulers to also avoid anything that could lead to misunderstanding; adding that people should seek legitimate means to resolve their disputes amicably.
His words: “We will follow the rule of law and all the appropriate regulations. But definitely, we will not allow any kind of criminality in any part of the Territory.”
The Minister frowned at security challenges caused by Chieftaincy tussles in so many locations; stressing that such actions are not acceptable and that is why we have the FCT Council of Chiefs.
Bello further warned that the Chairmen and the Traditional Rulers should be on the watch out and be extremely vigilant to stop any religious extremism, as it is also another serious security threat
to any society.
“Any religious extremism must be disallowed in your respective places, because if you turn a blind eye and pretend you don’t know, then this could become a serious problem for the people later,” he stressed.
The Minister continued, “Wherever you identify these issues, immediately find solution, before it even comes to our level and that is the ways you can continue to stamp your authority”.
“We have to call for this meeting because in most of the States sharing boundary with the FCT, there are reports of security challenges and everybody is running towards Abuja. So, let us not deceive ourselves, we must maintain vigilance at all times”, Malam Bello emphasized.
He urged them to guard against crisis between the Fulani herdsmen and the farmers because that is also a very serious issue; adding, “meet regularly with all the Fulanis in your area, identify their leaders
and communicate with them regularly”.
The Minister assured that the FCT Administration would strengthen the channel of communication among all stakeholders, because it is also one of the means where it can ensure that FCT continues to remain in peace.
On his part, the FCT Permanent Secretary, Dr. Babatope Ajakaiye remarked the Chairmen and the Traditional Rulers know everybody in their areas and therefore asked them pinpoint bad eggs to the security agents to guarantee continuous peace.
