By Abiola Olawale
The House of Representatives, on Tuesday, invited the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, the Director General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Oluwatosin Ajayi, along with the FCT Commissioner of Police, Peter Opara, and other security stakeholders to appear before the House of Representatives over the security situation in Abuja.
The decision came after Hon. Haruna Dabo, the member representing the Toro Federal Constituency of Bauchi State, moved a motion during Tuesday’s plenary session.
Dabo, in his address, said the motion was moved because of the tragic death of his legislative aide, Nimah Sulaiman, amongst others.
The lawmaker also argued that there has been a resurgence of “one chance” robberies, killings and other challenges in Abuja.
Dabo stated that Sulaiman was abducted by unidentified gunmen on Thursday, October 17, 2024, in Abuja. According to him, despite her captors collecting a ransom of N1 million, they stabbed her, and she later succumbed to her injuries.
While presenting his motion, Dabo lamented the increasing rate of kidnappings and robberies in the FCT, noting that both suburban and central areas of the capital city have become unsafe. He expressed concern over the rising incidents of abductions by “one chance” taxi operators, especially in unregistered and unpainted vehicles, which have worsened the security situation.
He said: “It has been a tumultuous and scary situation for people living within the capital territory. The use of unregistered and unpainted taxis has further exacerbated the situation, providing an easy conduit for criminal activities within the capital city.
“Ms Nimah Sulaiman was kidnapped and brutally murdered on Thursday, October 17, 2024, on her way home to Jahi District after being taken at gunpoint at Bannex Junction, Wuse II, by ‘one chance’ operators. Despite paying the ransom in full, her body was found hours later at the Maitama/Minister’s Hill Bridge.”
Following the debate, the motion was unanimously adopted when it was put to a voice vote by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas.
