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Wike's Perspective: Navigating the Complex Challenge of Crime Prevention in Abuja

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, expressed the view that preventing crime in Nigeria’s capital city, or any location, is impractical.

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, expressed the view that preventing crime in Nigeria’s capital city, or any location, is impractical.

Abuja, as the political and administrative capital of Nigeria, has recently witnessed a concerning uptick in criminal activities, particularly kidnappings and killings. The surge in such incidents has fueled public apprehension and demands for swift and effective intervention. Against this backdrop, Minister Nyesom Wike’s assertion that crime prevention in Abuja is impractical raises questions about the root causes, complexities, and potential solutions to the growing security challenges.

Wike suggests that some alarms raised about insecurity in the capital may be politically motivated, aimed at undermining the government of President Bola Tinubu. It’s not uncommon for politicians to leverage security concerns as a tool for discrediting opponents or gaining public favor. However, discerning the genuine concerns from politically motivated rhetoric is a complex task that requires careful consideration of the underlying issues at play.

One key aspect of Wike’s perspective is the acknowledgment of the multifaceted nature of crime. Crime is often deeply rooted in social, economic, and systemic issues that extend beyond the purview of government actions alone. Tackling crime requires a holistic approach that addresses root causes such as poverty, unemployment, and social inequality. The notion that no government can entirely prevent crime underscores the need for sustained efforts in social reform and community development.

While governments play a crucial role in maintaining law and order, the limitations they face in preventing all forms of crime are evident. Wike’s viewpoint draws attention to the challenges governments encounter, including resource constraints, bureaucratic hurdles, and the dynamic nature of criminal activities. It prompts a reflection on the realistic expectations society can have regarding the government’s ability to eradicate crime entirely.

Wike’s perspective could be seen as a call for increased community involvement in crime prevention. Communities, working in collaboration with law enforcement agencies, can act as crucial partners in identifying and addressing security concerns. Effective community policing, where residents actively participate in safeguarding their neighborhoods, could be a vital component in the broader strategy to enhance security.

Wike in a viral video said, “The so-called alarm is political. Some politicians are bent on making sure the government does not survive and they do it by creating unnecessary tension, by carrying propaganda. Something just happened there, they tell you it has happened 25 times.”

He accused some people of blackmailing him for his frequent trips to his home state, Rivers in South-South Nigeria.

“How does my going home on Friday affect you not taking security seriously? So the only time the kidnappings happen is when I’m not around on Saturday? They don’t kidnap from Monday to Friday?

“That is political, that is propaganda, that is blackmail.

“When we came here, people said that everything has collapsed in Abuja. That refuse has taken over the place; no streetlights, no road. How many of you have come out to commend us, that in the five months we have been in office, we are seeing changes?

“All you do is to pick one that has not been solved or that appears to be the problem now, you forget the ones that the government has put efforts into and which have yielded results.

“I have said that you cannot stop total crime. Let one person tell me as a professional, as an expert, that there is anywhere in this world where there is zero crime. Even where when you are caught, they amputate your legs or go to prison immediately, there is still crime.

“It is difficult for people to say that because kidnapping has happened last night in one or two places, there is insecurity in the whole of FCT. That is not correct.”

On installation of CCTV in the FCT, the minister said that if CCTV is installed, people will still vandalise the cameras.

Nyesom Wike’s assertion that preventing crime in Abuja is impractical sparks a crucial dialogue about the multifaceted nature of security challenges, the role of government, and the need for community involvement. As Abuja grapples with heightened insecurity, it becomes imperative to consider holistic approaches that go beyond traditional law enforcement measures. While acknowledging the limitations of any single government in eradicating crime entirely, the focus should shift towards collaborative efforts, policy reevaluation, and community empowerment to foster a safer and more secure capital city.

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