Boko Haram Threat On Abuja: Minister Put Council Chairmen, Traditional Rulers On Red Alert

Following the recent threat by members of Boko Haram that they would soon launch attack on the Nigeria Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, the FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello has placed chairmen of the six Area Councils and all the Seventeen graded traditional rulers on red alert. He asked them to stop any act that could lead to breakdown of law and order in their various domains.
The Minister who spoke at an emergency meeting with the Council Chairmen, FCT Graded Chiefs, FCT Police Commissioner, FCT Director of DSS, Ag. Secretaries, Area Council Councils Services and Agriculture & Rural Development Secretariats, in Gwarinpa I District
(Life-Camp), Abuja, said that the meeting was convened to specifically brainstorm
on security concerns to ensure that the FCT remain peaceful and
proactive.
The Minister asked the Council officials and the Traditional Rulers to also avoid anything that could lead to misunderstanding; adding that people should seek legitimate means to resolve their disputes amicably.
“We will follow the rule of law and all the appropriate regulations. But definitely, we will not allow any kind of criminality in any part of the Territory.”
The Minister frowned at security challenges caused by Chieftaincy tussles in so many locations; stressing that such actions are not acceptable and that is why we have the FCT Council of Chiefs.
Muhammad Bello warned that the Chairmen and the Traditional Rulers should be on the watch out and be extremely vigilant to stop any religious extremism, as it is also another serious security threat to any society.
“Any religious extremism must be disallowed in your respective places, because if you turn a blind eye and pretend you don’t know, then this could become a serious problem for the people later.
“Wherever you identify these issues, immediately find solution, before it even comes to our level and that is the ways you can continue to stamp your authority.
“We have to call for this meeting because in most of the States sharing boundary with the FCT, there are reports of security challenges and everybody is running towards Abuja. So, let us not
deceive ourselves, we must maintain vigilance at all times.”
He advised them to guard against crisis between the Fulani herdsmen and the farmers because that is also a very serious issue; adding, “meet regularly with all the Fulanis in your area, identify their leaders and communicate with them regularly.” [myad]