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Joint Security Task Force set up by the minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, aimed at eliminating cross-border banditry and robbery within the FCT has attracted the full support of Nigerians based in the United States of America (USA) and United Kingdom (UK).

Under the aegis of the United Nigerians for True Federalism (UNTF), North America Chapter, the Nigerians in Diaspora in a statement issued by its Secretary General, Mr. Kenneth Friday, alleged that the current rise in cases of banditry, kidnapping, and robbery are sponsored by portfolio contractors who are bent on tarnishing the image of the minister.

According to them, the unnamed sponsors were not happy with the Wike’s insistence that all contractors with abandoned public projects in the FCT must immediately resume work or face the wrath of the law.

The UNTF, a group which is made up of professional engineers, medical practitioners, retired military personnel, and others, while expressing their concerns over the incessant cases of kidnapping and banditry in and around the FCT said that they have total confidence in the ability of the president of the country, Senator Ahmed Tinubu, through the office of the FCT minister and security Chiefs to tackle the insecurity head-on.

The group also called on the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun to immediately withdraw excessive security aides attached to the VIPs and Politicians and deploy them to join the proposed Presidential Security Task Force to tackle crimes and criminality in the FCT.

The statement read; “We support the setting up of a Presidential Task Force in all entry and exit points of the FCT and within the surrounding communities. Let the countries of the world see that the FCT and Nigeria are safe for tourism and investment.

“Minister Wike should remain resolute, knowing that he has the support of millions of Nigerians around the world. It is sad that these anti-Wike elements that are sponsoring criminality in order to cause havoc in the FCT are stifling the people, grounding economic growth, and scaring away direct investment activities as most of the victims of kidnappings cut across all strata.

“We are one of the groups that have supported President Bola Tinubu before the presidential primaries and are still behind President Tinubu, and we urge President Boka Tinubu to empower the Joint Security Task Force to tackle the menace of kidnapping and violent Crimes facing the FCT.

“Nigeria can no longer continue to be a country of gossip from Washington DC to Rome, London, Berlin, Paris, Madrid, Melbourne, and in other countries around the world. Countries of the world should no longer see Nigeria as the den of kidnappers. President Tinubu should ensure that Nigerians are safe”, the UNTF said.