30 Killed, 19 Kidnapped In Bwari & Kuje Areas Of Abuja

Breaking News: Double Tragedy Strikes Abuja as 19 People Get Kidnapped and 30 Lose Lives in Landslide Triggered by Illegal Mining Activities

In a shocking turn of events, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) of Abuja witnessed back-to-back tragedies. On Thursday, a staggering 19 citizens were abducted in the Bwari Area Council, while a separate calamity in the Kuje Area Council claimed the lives of at least 30 individuals due to a devastating landslide, spurred by rampant illegal mining activities.

This somber news was disclosed during the inaugural meeting held between the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, and the leaders of the six area councils that make up the FCT. The meeting was designed to discuss pressing issues facing the region, including the state of insecurity and illegal mining that have recently culminated in these unfortunate events.

The FCT Minister expressed deep concern over the emergent crises, highlighting his commitment to summon both the Director of State Services for the FCT and the Commissioner of Police. This high-profile meeting is scheduled to facilitate in-depth discussions on these two tragic incidents and expedite the implementation of rescue operations for the kidnapped victims.

Nyesom Wike also urged the Area Council Chairmen to swiftly activate specialized task forces that would focus on monitoring mining activities within their respective jurisdictions. He further revealed plans to collaborate closely with his colleague, Dele Alake, the Minister of Solid Minerals, to address the scourge of illegal mining operations once and for all.

The chairman of the Kwali Area Council, Danladi Chiya, seized the opportunity to present some of the most urgent challenges crippling the councils. He warmly welcomed Minister Wike’s appointment, stating, “Your prior experience as a Council Chairman makes us optimistic that you understand the complex issues we are grappling with.” Chiya laid bare a litany of problems, ranging from underfunding and ineffective local governance to deplorable state of sanitation facilities and inefficient transport systems.

“Insecurity is a major issue,” Chiya emphasized, detailing how just that very day, 19 individuals were abducted in Bwari Area Council. “Furthermore, I personally had to receive five people who had been held captive for almost a week,” he added, painting a grim picture of the security situation across the FCT.

Besides insecurity, Chiya mentioned the pressing need for the development of satellite towns and lamented the inadequacy of Abuja Urban Mass Transit buses, most of which are now non-operational. He also touched upon the controversial issue of land allocation, criticizing the opaque process where “lands, including graveyards and worship centers, are randomly assigned without our consent.”

He also spotlighted the pressing challenges related to the education sector, specifically regarding the funding of primary school teachers’ salaries. “According to law, the burden is supposed to be divided between the local government and Universal Basic Education (UBE) in a 60-40 ratio. We appeal for your intervention,” pleaded Chiya.

Kuje Area Council Chairman, Abdullahi Sabo, chimed in, emphasizing the immense security threat and environmental degradation caused by illegal mining activities. “Licenses are being indiscriminately issued, even to foreigners. This needs to stop,” he said. The chairman also made a direct correlation between illegal mining and the recent landslide tragedy, stating, “The activities of these unauthorized miners are directly responsible for the loss of 30 lives. Urgent action is needed.”

Sabo also raised concerns about the state of sanitation, declaring that it is not just the responsibility of the council to collect fees but also to ensure efficient disposal of refuse. He called for the adoption of a common template to address this issue.

In response to the myriad challenges laid out by the area council chairmen, Minister Wike assured them that his office would take immediate steps. Regarding illegal mining, Wike stated, “I will definitely engage with the Minister of Mines to bring this issue to a halt. You should also be proactive as Chief Security Officers of your councils. Establish surveillance task forces, make arrests, and we will provide the support you need.”

The Abuja tragedies have underscored the critical need for immediate and comprehensive action. Whether it’s improving security, cracking down on illegal mining, or tackling systemic challenges like poor sanitation and education, all eyes are now on Minister Wike and his team, eagerly waiting to see how they navigate these tumultuous waters.

The residents of Abuja are keenly watching, their hopes pinned on effective governance to steer the city out of these dark times. As the FCT Minister readies to take crucial steps, the nation waits in anticipation, praying that these unfortunate incidents will serve as a wake-up call for a safer, more secure, and better-managed Federal Capital Territory.