The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, on Wednesday participated in a town hall meeting with residents of Bwari Area Council over the kidnapping for ransom and killings in Abuja.

The meeting was graced by a former senator who represented FCT, Philip Aduda, the Bwari Council of Chiefs, security agencies, and officials of the area council.

Abuja has recently become the target of bandits as they abducted and killed some residents including Matilda Ariyo and Nabeeha Al-Kadriyar, who were kidnapped along with 22 others in Bwari and at Sagwari Estate Layout in Dutse-Alhaji Area of Abuja.

The recent incidents have caught the attention of Nigerians, who vented their anger at the administration of President Bola Tinubu for failing to secure the country.

Earlier on Tuesday, Wike summoned an emergency security meeting with the heads of security agencies in Abuja, top FCTA officials, council chairmen, and traditional rulers.

At the meeting, the FCT minister warned the area council chairmen to awaken to their responsibilities at the local levels.

He stressed the need for the security apparatus to re-strategise and redouble their efforts to end insecurity in the territory.

“All of us are aware of the security situation in the Federal Capital Territory, particularly Bwari and some other areas that witnessed challenges… the press overblows what is happening, but all of us are concerned about the Federal Capital Territory, virtually every Nigerian has the duty to make sure the place is safe, we will do all we can to assure Nigerians who reside here that there is no need to panic,” Wike said.

“We are taking every step to make sure that those challenges are resolved; so this meeting is practically to look into such challenges and see how we can resolve them. That is why we invited all the council chairmen because they also have responsibility in their various area councils. We have to put hands together to come up with solutions.”