By Ebere Agozie
The former Chairman, NBA Abuja, Unity Bar Branch, Afam Okeke, has called for
synergy and intelligence-sharing among security agencies, to curb the menace of
’one chance’ syndicates in Abuja.
Okeke made the call on the sidelines of a press conference organised by
International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) Nigeria, Abuja Branch.
The press conference by FIDA was to condemn and draw the attention of relevant
authorities to the gruesome murder of their colleague Princess Mediatrix Chigbo
by suspected one chance criminal operators.
The victim, a legal practitioner and rights advocate, was said to have been
abducted and killed, with her body dumped on a roadside in the Federal Capital
Territory (FCT).
Okeke urged security agencies, including the Nigeria Police Force, the DSS and
the NSCDC to intensify intelligence-driven patrols, arrests, and to prosecute
offenders. “Synergy and cooperation among security agencies will deal a heavy
blow on ‘one chance’ operators and other forms of criminality in Nigeria.”
He also called for improved institutional capacity of the Nigeria Police, to position
it to realise its inherent mandate as the frontline agency in internal security, adding
that there’s need for effective and proactive policing in the FCT “as these people
are wasting precious lives, and that this has got to stop.”
He Said: “I call on the Nigeria Police to deploy all necessary resources to ensure
that the perpetrators of this dastardly act are brought to justice, to forestall any
future occurrence.
“All necessary machinery should be set in motion to improve the security
architecture in the FCT, particularly as it relates to the ‘one chance’ menace.
“Residents of FCT deserve to go about their legitimate businesses without fear, and
to sleep with both eyes closed.
“While I commend the FCTA for the good job it is doing in the area of
infrastructure, I implore them not to forget to secure the city. More street lights and
CCTV must be installed all over the city.’’
He further called for the transportation system of the FCT to be upgraded to meet
modern, safe, and efficient standards.
