The Federal Capital Territory Administration, on Thursday, distributed 60 vehicles to security agencies in Abuja.
The distributions were a part of efforts to curb the insecurity in the nation’s capital.
The vehicles were distributed to the Nigeria Police Force, the Military and paramilitary agencies.
The FCT Minister, Malam Muhammed Bello, who urged judicious use of the provided vehicles, said the vehicles were given to increase the capacity of the security agencies to optimally discharge their duties.
Bello revealed that the vehicles were each backed by a three-year maintenance contract, and added that the administration was confident in the agencies’ abilities to provide adequate security in the FCT.
“What we are doing today is to showcase the FCTA’s contribution to the Federal Government’s efforts. It is our expectation that these vehicles and other security equipment will be put to effective use.
“President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration has put in place several measures to confront current security challenges and to contain the threats posed by criminals in all forms and guises.
“Through the efforts of our security agencies, many potentially devastating criminal acts have been prevented. In fact, I make bold to say that for every crime committed, several others were nipped in the bud,” Bello said.
Bello also disclosed the release of N500 million to the six area councils for the commencement of community policing.
Similarly, the FCT Minister of State, Dr Ramatu Aliyu, said the provision of the vehicles would enhance security in the Federal Capital Territory, noting that the FCTA was acting in line with its constitutional responsibility to provide security of lives and property.
Chairman of the Senate Committee on the FCT, Senator Smart Adeyemi, commended the work of the FCTA for providing the vehicles, pointing out that the security situations had overshadowed ongoing infrastructural developments in the FCT.
On his part, the Inspector-General of Police, Usman Baba, represented by Kayode Egbetokun, the AIG in Charge of Zone 7, gave assurance that the police and other benefiting agencies would make judicious use of the vehicles, and thanked the FCTA for its support for the security agencies.
