The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has blamed unnamed “saboteurs and selfish political actors” for fuelling insecurity in the nation’s capital, vowing to crush criminal networks that he said are undermining Abuja’s peace and development.
Delivering his 65th Independence Day message on Tuesday, Wike acknowledged that Abuja’s security situation has worsened in recent months, with kidnappings and violent attacks shaking residents’ confidence in the capital’s safety.
“This is no time for complacency. Those who profit from chaos or sponsor insecurity to achieve political aims will soon realise that the FCT is not a playground for lawlessness. We are working closely with security agencies to dismantle these criminal rings once and for all,” the minister warned.
Wike’s remarks mark one of his strongest indictments yet of what he described as “deliberate attempts to embarrass the government and make the FCT ungovernable.”
He urged residents to be vigilant and to report suspicious activities, insisting that security cannot be left to the authorities alone.
While celebrating Nigeria’s 65th independence anniversary as a milestone of unity and resilience, Wike said the moment also called for sober reflection on how insecurity threatens the sacrifices of the nation’s founding fathers.
“The FCT is the heartbeat of the country, the symbol of our unity. We cannot allow bandits, kidnappers, or their sponsors to tarnish that image,” he said.
The minister praised residents for backing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which he said has brought major infrastructural upgrades, including strategic road projects, rehabilitated schools and hospitals, and support for farmers, youths, and women.
According to the minister, “No city can claim greatness without modern infrastructure. We have focused on building roads, upgrading health and education facilities, and empowering small businesses to restore faith in government.”
Looking ahead to the February 2026 Area Council elections, Wike cautioned political actors against stoking violence.
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