30 killed in Abuja landslide, 19 kidnapped, Wike orders surveillance

Nineteen persons were kidnapped in the Bwari Area Council of the nation’s capital, while about 30 others reportedly lost their lives in a recent landslidcaused by activities of illegal miners in Kuje Area Council.

News of the incidents came to the fore, yesterday, at a meeting between Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, and Chairmen of Area Councils.

The minister, who was miffed by the reports, said he would summon the FCT’s Director of the Department of State Services and the Commissioner of Police to brief him on the incidents.

He asked the council bosses to set up surveillance task forces in their areas to monitor mining activities, saying he would meet with Minister of Solid Minerals, Dele Alake, with a view to eliminating illegal mining in the FCT.

Speaking on challenges confronting the councils, the Chairman of Kwali Area Council, Danladi Chiya, appealed to Wike and Minister of State, Dr Mariya Mahmoud, to come to the people’s aid.

He said: “When we heard about your appointment, we were happy because you have been a council chairman and therefore understand our challenges. Our problems are inadequate funding of the local government system. We have the major challenge of insecurity across the six area councils. Just today (yesterday), about 19 people were kidnapped in Bwari Area Council.

“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.”