By Dr. Nafisat Makinde
The Federal Capital Territory has reactivated its joint security task force, Operation Sweep to prevent the recent surge in kidnappings across the country from spreading to Abuja.
FCT Minister Nyesom Wike chaired an expanded security committee meeting on Wednesday and directed the immediate relaunch of the operation, which involves the Nigeria Police Force, Army, Navy, Air Force, Department of State Services, and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps.
Commissioner of Police Miller Dantawaye briefed journalists after the meeting and confirmed that the operation commenced on Tuesday night.
“There has been heightened kidnapping in the country and we think the FCT should never experience that,”
Dantawaye said. “We came together and decided to commence our own Operation Sweep.
The FCT Minister in his wisdom has provided adequate logistics for our operation.”
The task force has established four operational sectors covering Gwagwalada, Bwari, the city centre (Garki and Wuse axis), and the eastern corridor up to Nyanya, Mararaba, Karshi, and Orozo.
Security personnel have intensified patrols around schools, places of worship, and fringe communities.
Dantawaye urged residents to continue their daily activities and religious obligations without fear while appealing for credible information from the public.
The preemptive operation is intended to maintain peace and security in the nation’s capital amid rising incidents of kidnapping and banditry in neighbouring states.
