The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has re-invigorated the ‘G7” security operations, which involves collaboration and partnerships with states that are contiguous to the territory, to secure the Federal Capital Territory.
The FCT Commissioner of Police, Sunday Babaji, who made this known during the FCT monthly security committee meeting, explained that the operation would involve taking the fight to the bandits and terrorists in their camps which are mostly located in states bordering the FCT.
The police commissioner, however, called for the collaboration and cooperation of residents of the FCT to provide actionable and timely intelligence to the security agencies.
He urged residents to be security conscious at all times assuring them that the FCT is safe, and that they can go about their lawful activities.
In his words: “I call on residents to give actionable and timely intelligence to all the security agencies and to also be security conscious.
“I’m also assuring them that FCT is safe. Every member of the community should go about their lawful businesses. We are on top of the situation.
“We have deployed our men both overt and covert and we are doing everything possible in synergy with all the security agencies and support of our traditional rulers and religious leaders to make sure that FCT is safe,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Senior Special Assistant on Security to the FCT Minister, Abu Mohammed, revealed the readiness of the heads of security agencies in the neighbouring states to participate actively in the G7 operations.
He also called on residents to be wary of fake news, especially on social media, which is designed to cause panic amongst the citizenry, adding that circulating such news would amount to playing into the hands of terrorists.
Mohammed however, called on inhabitants to verify news and other information from relevant and recognised authorities, urging them not to entertain fear.
While disclosing that neighbouring states including Nasarawa, Kaduna, Niger and Kogi were set to join the operation, he listed efforts to improve security as regular joint operations by security agencies and the military members of the FCT Security Committee.
According to him, “Ongoing Clearance Operations of suspected bandit locations in the hilly, mountainous and forest locations on the fringes of the FCT.
“There have also been an upscale in military checkpoints at strategic locations and joint patrol,” Mohammed added.
The meeting which was chaired by the FCT Minister, Muhammad Bello, was attended by the FCT Minister of State, Ramatu Aliyu, and Chief of Staff to the Minister, Bashir Mai-Bornu, amongst others.