At least, thirty people have been reportedly killed in a landslide caused by the activities of illegal miners in Kuje area council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
This is just as 19 persons were also kidnapped yesterday in the Bwari area council of the FCT.
The twin incidents were disclosed at a maiden meeting between FCT minister, Nyesom Wike, and the six area council chairmen.
The minister who was surprised at the development said he would summon the FCT director of State Services as well as the commissioner of Police to receive adequate briefings on the kidnap incident and facilitate rescue operations.
Wike asked the council bosses to set up a surveillance task force in their areas to monitor mining activities, just as he promised to meet with his counterpart in Solid Minerals, Dele Alake, to begin talks on the elimination of illegal mining in the FCT.
Also, the minister of state for FCT, Dr Mariya Mahmoud, and the permanent secretary in the FCTA, Olusade Adesola, expressed the willingness of the administration to continue to partner with the area councils to ensure even development of the territory.
Speaking on the challenges confronting the councils, Kwali area council chairman, Danladi Chiya, appealed to the minister and the minister of state to come to their aid.
“When we heard about your appointment, we were happy because you have been a council chairman and, therefore, understand our challenges. Our challenges are inadequate funding of the local government system.
“We have the major challenge of insecurity across the six area councils. Just today (Thursday), about 19 people were kidnapped in the Bwari area council. I just received about five in my council who were in captivity for about six days.
“The next is the development of satellite towns. The issue of sanitation is one of the major challenges confronting us. There is also no efficient transport facility. The Abuja Urban Mass Transit buses are no longer functional.
“Then there is the issue of land allocation. You sit in your council, and your backyard will be allocated to someone you do not even know. Your graveyards and worship centres would be allocated and we are saying that we should be carried along in terms of land allocation,” Chiya said.
Credit: Leadership