FCT COMMUNITIES RECEIVE SECURITY BOOST AS 10 POLICE DIVISIONS NEAR COMPLETION

By Wisdom Acka & Celestina Egu

In its determination to ensure peace and safety for vulnerable communities, the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) is breathing new life into rural policing with the emergency establishment of new divisional police commands.

This initiative, championed by the FCT Minister, Barrister Nyesom Wike, signals a decisive departure from reactive security measures to proactive, community-based protection measures.

The Director of the Department of Security Services, FCT Administration, Adamu Gwary, disclosed this while speaking to journalists during an inspection tour of all the divisions on Wednesday, 29th October 2025.

He recalled: “Let me give you a little background. You will recall that sometime in 2023, when the Minister assumed duty, he went around all the six area councils and held meetings with the FCT community in town hall meetings at all the six area councils.

“At that time, the security challenges in the FCT, particularly kidnappings in rural areas, were prevalent. Based on that interface, the residents and the rural community informed the Minister of their challenges.

“At those meetings, he promised them that he would bring security closer to the people. That is the essence of these structures you are seeing. The ones that you have around -we are having 12 of such, two per area council. That is the background of this project that you have inspected,” he stated.

Speaking on the wisdom behind the emergency construction of the divisions with accommodation for police personnel, the Director explained that the Minister’s vision of providing both structures in close proximity is to ensure 24-hour policing, with convenience in response time.

He stressed that the initiative marks an end to the era of distant barracks in the FCT, as “Officers will live on-site, and response times will shrink from hours to minutes.”

Gwary further explained that the design and construction of the station and accommodation side by side is not an accident, adding that each station mirrors a national prototype endorsed by the Inspector General of Police—a fusion of functionality and dignity. “These structures will set the standard for Nigeria,” Gwary assured.

Communities once terrorized by kidnappers and bandits in Abaji, Kwali, and Bwari now sigh in relief as Wike’s latest security measures prove positively impactful, he emphasized.

The Director highlighted that it was good news for farmers who had hitherto abandoned their harvests, and traders who shuttered stalls at dusk, expressing confidence in the security of their produce and wares -thereby boosting farming and trading activities and the rural economy.

He stated that the FCT Minister’s decision to erect six new divisional police stations across the area councils emerged not as mere policy but as a lifeline.

“Today, the hum of construction in Tukashara and Saburi (AMAC), Bako (Kwali), Yaba (Abaji), and Ushafa (Bwari) signals a turning point toward peaceful and secure rural dwelling,” he assured.

At Saburi, the almost-completed facility stands as a testament to urgency. Our correspondent observed administrative blocks fitted with DPO offices, holding cells, and residential quarters -six two-bedroom flats, each with kitchens and toilets.

“Officers must live where they serve,” explained Project Engineer Ahmed Yahaya. “Plumbing and electrical works are done. Painting begins in days,” he added.

In Yaba, a strategic gateway to Niger and Kogi States, Engineer Ayinde Adewale affirmed the November 2025 deadline. “This station will choke off criminal routes,” he said, noting the FCTA’s unwavering funding.

Another respondent in Yaba, Musa Yakubu -a farmer, smiled, saying: “When security arrives, markets follow.” Petty trader Ibrahim Danladi echoed him, declaring: “We’ll no longer rush home before sunset.”