Joshua Obika (LP-FCT) has called for overhauling security architecture in the Federal Capital Territory following the spate of criminality in the nation’s capital.

Mr Obika, who made the call while addressing journalists in Abuja on Thursday, said some locations under the bridges were hideouts for criminals.

The member, representing the AMAC/Bwari federal constituency of FCT, said, “As if these were not enough, another dimension to the criminality has been introduced by hoodlums who mob passers-by upon choreographed fake alarms of missing genitals.”

He said the criminals use the ensuing chaos to dispossess innocent victims of their cell phones and valuables. The lawmaker said that no class of people had been spared in the criminality, adding that no one knows who would be the next victim.

“Abuja is no longer safe, and residents keep asking whether the security of Abuja is slipping through our fingers,” stated Mr Obika.

The legislator said there was an urgent need for the government to restore the hope of the citizens and investors in Abuja.

“Pursuant to this, I appeal to President Bola Tinubu for the creation of a Special Security Intervention Fund for the complete overhaul of the FCT security architecture,” Mr Obika explained. “Added to this is the need for the FCT Administration to evolve a strategic initiative for the deployment of smart technologies in the nooks and crannies of the city and satellite towns.”

Mr Obika called for upgrading the FCT Security Department to the rank of a directorate or an agency, empowered with adequate professional staff and an institutional framework.

The legislator said this was to coordinate the security efforts in the FCT, adding that Abuja has become too big and complex to be handled just by an officer at the directorate level.

He said nightclubs should be given standard operational procedures, adding that they should be required to install necessary electronic security surveillance gadgets in and around their places of business.

Speaking on education in the FCT, Mr Obika said the educational system in the FCT, especially at the basic level, was in dire need of a major intervention.

He said most schools in the rural FCT lack the enabling environment for learning, adding that pupils study under blown-off roofs. The lawmaker said that children sit on the ground to receive instructions, adding that there are no sanitary facilities and no adequate teaching materials.

“It is common to see schools without fences or security guards. These expose our children to the risk of insecurity,” said Mr Obika.

(NAN)