FCT Minister Nyesom Wike has urged stronger security collaboration among G-7 states to combat rising crimes.
He emphasized intelligence sharing and joint operations as key strategies against kidnappers, bandits, and traffickers.
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has called for closer collaboration and intelligence sharing among security agencies across the G-7 states to effectively tackle rising insecurity in the region.
Wike made the appeal on Thursday at the opening of the G-7 States Technical Committee meeting held at the Nigeria Police Resource Centre in Jabi, Abuja.
The G-7 Security Forum, established in 2007, brings together security chiefs from the FCT, Niger, Nasarawa, Kogi, Kaduna, Benue, and Plateau states to review threats, share intelligence, and implement joint strategies against crime.
Represented by the Head of the Civil Service of the FCT, Grace Adayilo, Wike said criminal elements are becoming more sophisticated, exploiting technology to advance crimes such as kidnapping, banditry, drug trafficking, and human trafficking.
“Criminal elements have adapted and exploited technological advancements to further their illicit activities, thus requiring such a dynamic approach like synergy and joint operations,” he said, urging the committee to design adaptable strategies to safeguard the capital and surrounding states.
Wike commended security operatives for their sacrifices and reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to providing resources and platforms that strengthen regional security cooperation.
Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun, represented by AIG Usaini Gumel, stated that the G-7 had proven its relevance, emphasizing that joint efforts remain vital to combating insecurity.
“Alone, each state may not achieve the desired results, but when seven states come together to fight a common enemy, the outcome is always greater,” he noted.
FCT Commissioner of Police, Ajao Adewale, who chairs the G-7 Technical Committee, also stressed the need for deeper inter-agency collaboration. He cited the recent arrest of a Nasarawa-based kidnap syndicate led by Muhammad Tahir, which operated across Nasarawa and Plateau states, adding that N7.4 million in ransom money was recovered.
According to Adewale, the case demonstrated that cross-border crimes can only be defeated through regional cooperation. He listed challenges such as car snatching, extremism, and the growing movement of destitute populations as issues requiring coordinated responses, intelligence sharing, and joint operations.
