On Friday, 19 people were taken hostage in the Bwari Area Council of Abuja, and in the Kuje Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory, 30 people were said to have died in a landslide caused by illegal miners.
These were made public during the first meeting between the six area council chairmen and the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike.
The Clergyman, who was worried about the advancements said he would call the FCT Overseer of State Administrations, as well as the Chief of Police, to be extensively informed about the capture occurrence and work with salvage activities.
Wike stated that he would meet with his Solid Minerals counterpart, Dele Alake, to eliminate illegal mining in the FCT. He asked the council leaders to establish a surveillance task force in their areas to monitor mining activities.
Danladi Chiya, chairman of the Kwali Area Council, made an appeal to the Wike and the Minister of State, Dr. Mariya Mahmoud, to assist the councils in overcoming the obstacles they face.
He said, “When we caught wind of your arrangement, we were blissful in light of the fact that you have been a Board Executive and subsequently, grasp our difficulties. The lack of funding for the local government system is one of our issues.
“We have the significant test of frailty across the six Region Gatherings. In the Bwari Area Council, around 19 people were taken hostage just today, Friday. My council just received five people who had been held captive for approximately six days.
“The following is the advancement of outer municipalities. One of the most significant issues we face is sanitation. Additionally, there is no effective transport facility. The buses of the Abuja Urban Mass Transit no longer work.
The issue of land distribution follows. Your backyard will be given to someone you don’t even know as you sit on your council. We are only suggesting that we should be accommodated in terms of land allocation, which would include burial grounds and places of worship.
Local governments bear primary school teachers’ responsibilities. The council is responsible for paying the UBE’s salaries, which are required by law to be 60-40 percent. We ask for your assistance so that this problem can be investigated.
Abdullahi Sabo, chairman of the Kuje Area Council, also expressed concern about the threat posed by illegal miners, stating, “There is the issue of illegal mining in the FCT.” Insecurity has resulted as a result of the random distribution of mining licenses. Chinese individuals receive consent letters from them.
“Just a few days ago, as a result of the activities of illegal miners, there was a landslide that resulted in the deaths of thirty people. We appeal to you to connect with the Clergyman of Mines to quit mining in the FCT.”
Our sanitation situation is problematic. Sanitation is a major problem. In addition to collecting fees, the council is responsible for disposing of trash. We need to plunk down and work together on this by embracing a typical format.”
Wike responded, “I will talk to the minister about illegal mining.” Normally, I would suggest that you establish your own surveillance taskforce as Chief Security Officers of your councils, arrest people, and get our support. I will, nevertheless, meet with the minister.
