FCT minister Nyesom Wike says bandits are hiding in Abuja forest and that of the neighbouring states.

The minister said the FCT Administration had concluded plans to strengthen collaboration with the four neighbouring states with the territory to tackle cross border crimes.

FCT minister Nyesom Wike said this while addressing journalists in Abuja on Monday.

Mr Wike pointed out that the FCTA would not succeed in curbing the tide of insecurity without the collaboration of the neighbouring states.

He identified the states as Kogi, Nasarawa, Niger and Kaduna, stressing that criminals from Niger and Kaduna constitute the major challenge to FCT.

Mr Wike said on assumption of duty, he was informed about the efforts of the FCTA with the neighbouring state to form a security coalition.

The former Rivers governor explained that the coalition was to serve as a platform to support one another to reduce the level of insecurity.

He, however, pointed out that election petitions in the courts could not allow the coalition to come into fruition.

Mr Wike stated, “Series of election petitions took the governors’ time, but now that most of the petitions have been settled, we will be having our first meeting next week.

“FCT will host the four states to fully implement the cooperation. If we don’t do that, it is going to be difficult.

“We need the support of Nasarawa state, Kogi state. We need the support of Niger state and Kaduna state. We need to work majorly with Kaduna state and Niger.”

He added, “There is no day or week you will not hear that bandits attacked residents in Niger, bandits struck in Kaduna, and when that happens, where do they go to?

“They go to the forest bordering FCT and the neighbouring states.”

(NAN)