Obika made the appeal on Thursday while addressing House of Representatives correspondents at the National Assembly Complex, Abuja.
He said, “I appeal to Mr President for the creation of a Special Security Intervention Fund for the complete overhaul of FCT security architecture. Added to this, is the need for the FCT administration to evolve a strategic initiative of deployment of smart technologies in the nooks and crannies of the city and satellite towns.
“This is achievable through deploying Close Circuit Televisions, drones, and other integrated electronic surveillance systems, among others. I also suggest that more work should be done in the area of intelligence gathering. Blind spots like surrounding bushes should be periodically raided, while uncompleted buildings should be adequately evacuated or policed.”
While noting that Abuja, “the once-peace haven of Nigeria, is buckling under the grip of insecurity,” the lawmaker lamented the incessant cases of kidnapping, banditry, and other crimes occurring in the nation’s capital.
He said, “Time will fail me to recount the incessant cases of banditry, kidnapping, one-chance operations, armed robberies and all. However, I will mention just some few cases.
“Greatness Olorunfemi, the young lady who died from injuries sustained when she was thrown out of the cab by “one-chance” criminals, sent shock waves across the length and breadth of the city.
“Similarly, a few nights ago, kidnappers invaded Chikakore District in Kubwa and kidnapped a young man from his house. As we speak, his family are rallying around looking for funds to pay for his ransom.
“In April this year, we woke up to the news of a young lady, Mabel Ladi who was murdered by unknown assailants. We also know of the case of Miss Blessing Karami, a student of National Open University of Nigeria, whose decomposing body was found in Karmo.
“Just last month, a young banker, Austin Ilom died after being freed by kidnappers who picked him up from his house in Kubwa, even after payment of a whopping N11m ransom. In a related development, Usman Hassan, a father of four, was stabbed to death last year’s Christmas day while jogging just close to his highbrow Ochacho Estate in Idu-Karmo District.”
He said, “Most of these insecurity cases often are not reported by the media. Some of the locations under the bridges are totally infested with criminals who do not flinch to kill just for any brand and size of telephone handsets.
“Severally, we have received reports of people who are tracked and picked just in front of their gates. As if these were not enough, another dimension to the criminality has been introduced by hoodlums who mob passers-by upon choreographed fake alarms of missing genitals and use the ensuing chaos to dispossess innocent victims of their phones and valuables.
“No district or class of people has been spared and certainly, no one knows who is going to be the next victim. That Abuja is no longer safe is no more in doubt. Residents keep asking whether the security of Abuja is slipping through our fingers. There is an urgent demand for us to restore the hope of both the citizens and investors in this our dream city.”
