The handling of the abduction crisis in the nation’s capital by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has sparked criticism from various quarters. Wike attributed the situation to political detractors, drawing ire from the Northern Elders Forum, Middle Belt Forum Youth Forum, and other stakeholders who condemned his remarks as insensitive and unfortunate.
Under Wike’s leadership, the FCT witnessed a surge in bandit attacks, resulting in the abduction of residents who paid substantial ransoms for their release. In the past two weeks alone, over 25 individuals were kidnapped, and at least four victims were tragically killed for failing to meet ransom demands.
Wike dismissed public outrage over the kidnappings, labeling it as unnecessary, and claimed that some politicians were attempting to undermine the government by creating tension and spreading propaganda. He argued against characterizing the entire FCT as insecure based on isolated incidents, emphasizing the positive efforts of the government in addressing various challenges.
Critics, including the Northern Elders Forum and the Middle Belt Youth Forum, sharply rebuked Wike’s cavalier attitude towards the security crisis. They described his comments as dismissive of the experiences of the victims, stressing that genuine security challenges, not just political propaganda, were affecting the lives of people in the capital.
The President of the Middle Belt Youth Forum, Bright Kane, accused Wike of shifting blame to absolve himself of the kidnapping situation, suggesting that the minister might be overwhelmed by the security crisis. Other voices, such as the Spokesperson for Abuja Original Inhabitants Youth Empowerment Organisation, Isaac David, faulted Wike for not engaging with indigenous people and for dismissing the early warnings about the kidnapping issue.
Various human rights advocates and organizations also criticized Wike’s stance, with some calling for accountability and urging him to accept responsibility for the security failures. The National Coordinator of Advocate for People’s Rights and Justice, Giwa Victor, emphasized the real and alarming nature of kidnapping incidents in the FCT, refuting Wike’s claim of propaganda.
The Executive Director of the United Global Resolve for Peace, Olaseni Shalom, and other advocates demanded a more effective response from security agencies. The Executive Director of the African Centre for Media Information and Literacy, Chido Onumah, described Wike’s statement as unfortunate, uncaring, and insensitive, highlighting a perceived disconnect from the suffering of the people.
The National President of the Middle Belt Forum, Dr. Bitrus Pogu, expressed concerns over the escalating insecurity in the country, encompassing issues such as banditry and kidnapping. Overall, the Minister’s handling of the abduction crisis drew widespread criticism and calls for a more proactive and compassionate approach to address the security challenges in the Federal Capital Territory.
