By Sarah NEGEDU
Members of the G-7 states have been asked to come up with adaptable strategies in combating the growing issues of cross-border crimes bedevilling the FCT and its surrounding states.
The Permanent Secretary of the FCTA, Mr Olusade Adesola, said the call had become necessary given the surge of criminal elements transversing the FCT and other member states in recent times.
Adesola, who gave the charge at the 9th Technical Committee meeting of the G-7 States in Abuja, said it has become pertinent to ensure the safety and security of Abuja and the states contiguous to it.
The G-7 Security Summit was initiated by the FCT Administration in 2007 for the purpose of intelligence gathering, sharing and joint-border operations between the FCT and neighbouring states of Benue, Kaduna, Kogi, Nasarawa, Niger and Plateau, with the view to tackling security challenges bedeviling member states.
The permanent secretary, who was represented by the Director of Finance and Admin at the Agriculture and Rural Development Secretariat, Malam Ishaq Sadiq, stated that the FCTA at its security meeting held in May reconvened the G-7 States Technical Committee Meeting to tackle the recent upsurge of criminal elements traversing the FCT and other member-states, with a view to reviewing operational strategies that will guarantee optimal success.
While stressing the importance and urgency of the summit, the Permanent Secretary urged State Chief Executives to prioritize issues of security of lives and properties of residents within their respective domains as well as providing materials and other logistic support to our Security Agencies to enhance their field operations.
In his words, “security, as we are all aware, is a fundamental pillar upon which any thriving society is built. It is an essential component that ensures the safety, well-being, and prosperity of our residents. In recognition of this fact, the FCT Administration has consistently prioritized the platform for the enhancement of security measures within our territory and beyond. Just recently, the administration provided several operational vehicles and security gadgets to security agencies within the territory in a bid to effectively combat crime and criminalities.
“This meeting, therefore, marks yet another significant effort and commitment in our drive to ensuring a more holistic approach in redesigning our security architecture for effective delivery. In a rapidly evolving world, the nature of threats and challenges has become increasingly complex and dynamic. Criminal elements are continuously adapting and exploiting technological advancements to further their illicit activities, thus requiring such a dynamic approach like synergy and joint operations, amongst other strategies to overcome the nefarious activities of these criminally minded individuals.”
In his welcome address, the FCT Commissioner of Police, CP Garba Haruna, noted that security concerns across the country have become increasingly complex and technologically based, therefore requiring coordinated efforts from all stakeholders.
The CP pointed out that Operation G7 represents a united front, bringing together collective expertise and experience to tackle the prevailing security.
“As we convene in this hall today, let us not forget the weight of responsibilities that has been put on our shoulders. The security of our citizens and the preservation of law and order are not mere aspirations. They are the pillars upon which every thriving community is built. We can not afford to falter in our mission to our people, nor can we rest until our communities are safe and secured.
“Let me at this stage stress that using the G7 platform, we may have gotten a unique opportunity to reinforce our collective efforts and chart a way forward that will not only mitigate existing threats to our collective survival but also prevent future ones. Our collaboration, coordination, and seamless exchange of intelligence will undoubtedly serve as the bedrock of our success. Let us leverage on this platform to foster understanding, strengthen partnerships, and devise innovative strategies that will defeat crime and criminality.
“In view of the prevailing criminal activities in the FCT and its adjourning States, it is imperative that heads of security agencies meet regularly to collectively review the current security situation with a view to proffering appropriate operational plans and arrangements to address the menace.”
On his part, the Assistant Inspector General in charge of Zone 7, Adebowale Williams, called for synergy in intelligence gathering among member states in order to reduce response time to crime and to stop criminals on their track.
The AIG also tasked the police to ensure they carry the local communities along in the fight against crime and criminality.
The summit tagged: “Technical Committee of the G-7 States” saw the gathering of top security brass from the G-7 States comprising the Commissioners of Police, State Directors of Department of State Security Services, DSS, Commandants of NSCDC of FCT, Benue, Kaduna, Kogi, Nasarawa, Niger and Plateau States.