The Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr Nyesom Wike, has rewarded a vigilante group in Kwali Area Council for rescuing four kidnapped victims.
The reward included an operational vehicle and an undisclosed cash, to encourage the group to do more.
The rescued victims were presented to Wike at Kaita Gembu, a community in Kwali, on Tuesday, when he visited the area to inspect an ongoing road project.
The minister commended members of the vigilante group for the display of bravery and courage.
He said that the operation vehicle and the undisclosed amount of cash gift was to motivate them to do more in tackling insecurity in their communities.
He urged residents of FCT to work with the FCT Administration to ensure that criminal elements and their evil activities are eliminated in the territory.
Wike explained that the rural road projects across the six area councils of the FCT were part of President Bola Tinubu’s efforts towards boosting economic activities in rural areas.
He said: “We have said before, that Tinubu’s “Renewed Hope Agenda” is not just for the city, it is also for the rural areas.
“While providing infrastructure in the city, we must also provide the same infrastructure in the rural areas.
“There are no roads for people to go to their various farms; there are no roads for people to go to their houses in their villages. The current administration is addressing this challenge.
“Today, this is the second road we are visiting as far as Kwali Area Council is concerned. Where we are standing now is the 11-kilometre road, and you can imagine the impact the road will have when it is completed in December this year.
“Where we are coming from is a 25km road and look how happy the people are. That’s the renewed hope, and that is why we are saying that people should be patient with the government.”
He urged the residents to support ongoing efforts by the current government to improve the livelihood of rural dwellers rather than supporting the Aug. 1 planned protest by selfish individuals.
He called on leaders at all levels within the communities to shun people disguising as anti-government protesters but have the intention to unleash mayhem.
“While the government is doing everything to reduce the level of hunger, the government is also providing basic infrastructure that will improve the economy of our country.
“If you come to the FCT, you will appreciate the fact that government is working. If FCT is working, why are you telling its residents to come and protest?
“No right-thinking government will fold its arms and allow people to come and cause mayhem, destroy properties and then we go back to square one,” Wike said.
Speaking of the kidnapped victims, Mr Danladi Chiya, Chairman, Kwali Area Council, explained that they were abducted from their homes in Kuje Area Council and taking into Kwali forest by the kidnappers.
Chiya assured all vigilante groups in the area council of continued support to enable them support security agencies in tackling the menace of kidnapping in communities.
One of the rescued victims, Mr Isaac Gbemu, said: “We were in our house around midnight when we heard gunshots.
“Initially, we thought it was armed robbers, but when the people broke into the compound, we discovered they were kidnappers.
“They took us away that night and brought us to the bush where we don’t know. We have spent three days before the vigilantes rescued us this morning.” (NAN) (