The comptroller of the FCT Command of the Nigerian Immigration Service, Tony Akuneme, has appealed for NIS, as a paramilitary organisation, to be part of the security architecture in FCT to fight the increasing security threats.

In an interview on Sunday in Abuja, Mr Akuneme said the NIS had always been part of the monthly security meetings in the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) before this time.

He also said all the heads of security agencies, members of faith-based organisations and traditional rulers in FCT come together under the FCT minister’s leadership to discuss security issues.

“But for some reason, the present FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, since assumption, has not summoned that expanded security meeting held monthly for reasons best known to him,” said Mr Akuneme.

“We think he prefers to use the police, army, DSS, and NSCDC. In the wisdom of the minister, these are the most important. Others are not relevant to his plans,” he added.

Mr Akuneme stressed that with over 1,500 personnel in Abuja who gather intelligence in handling insecurity, the development “is not right at all and should be reversed.”

The NIS boss said he had written to the minister on behalf of other heads of paramilitary agencies to express their surprise at the exclusion, adding that he had yet to receive an acknowledgement or reply.

“We appeal to the minister to look into this matter. There’s a need for us to be part of that meeting,” he added.

Mr Akuneme decried that the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) that should be queried about one-chance in FCT roads, and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), which knows the activities of drug addicts, are excluded in the war against insecurity.

“Half of the crimes committed in FCT are committed by non-Nigerians who are scattered all over the FCT. It’s only the immigration officers who can profile them,” he said.

Mr Akuneme said NIS officers across the area councils gather information about non-Nigerians’ movement in the FCT.

“However, the FCT Administration does not effectively use this approach to tackle insecurity because the communication channel has been closed.

“So, the minister’s action of excluding heads of paramilitary agencies from security meetings in FCTA is counterproductive and should be reversed,” Mr Akuneme added.

(NAN)