House of Representatives set up a special ad-hoc committee to scrutinise the surge in insecurity Abuja, despite the federal government’s $460 million CCTV surveillance network financed through a Chinese loan.
During the committee’s inauguration in Abuja, Speaker Tajudeen Abbas condemned the escalating incidents of kidnapping, armed robbery, and murder in the FCT as “unacceptable and intolerable”.
Abbas lamented that Abuja, once considered one of the calmest capitals in West Africa, was now experiencing routine violent attacks.
He questioned why the multi-million-dollar CCTV project intended to strengthen monitoring and security responses had failed to arrest thedeteriorating security situation.
He said Nigerians must be told whether the massive investment was used correctly, abandoned midway, or undermined by poor management.
Abbas stated that the committee was charged with conducting a thorough, forensic review of the project, including its current condition, operational capability, how well it linked with security agencies, and the factors responsible for its inability to achieve results.
Represented at the event by Hon. Julius Pondi, Abbas added that the panel must also uncover any negligence or possible sabotage and propose measures to either activate the system or undertake a complete overhaul.
The speaker called on the ministers of the FCT, finance, and interior, as well as the Inspector General of Police, area council chairmen, and security agency leaders to fully support the investigation.
He appealed to traditional rulers to deepen their collaboration with security agencies through better intelligence sharing.
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