The House of Representatives has launched an ad-hoc committee to investigate the worsening insecurity in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), despite the federal government’s expenditure of $460 million on a Chinese-funded CCTV surveillance project that has failed to curb crime.
At the committee’s inauguration on Thursday in Abuja, Speaker of the House, Tajudeen Abbas, described the spike in kidnappings, armed robberies and killings in the FCT as “unacceptable and intolerable.” Once considered one of West Africa’s safest capitals, Abuja is now grappling with sustained violent attacks.
Represented by Rep. Julius Pondi, the Speaker questioned why the multi-million-dollar CCTV infrastructure—designed to strengthen security surveillance—has delivered no visible impact. He said Nigerians deserve transparent answers on whether the project was ever fully implemented or sabotaged by corruption and administrative failures.
Abbas said the committee has been empowered to conduct a forensic probe into the project’s installation, current condition, linkage with security agencies, and reasons behind its collapse. The investigation will also identify possible negligence or sabotage and propose steps to revive or overhaul the system.
He urged the Ministers of the FCT, Finance and Interior, alongside the Inspector General of Police, area council chairmen and heads of security formations, to give full cooperation. Traditional rulers were also encouraged to intensify community intelligence-sharing.
“The House will not stand by while residents live in fear,” Abbas stressed, promising the use of all legislative instruments to enforce accountability and improve safety across the FCT.
Committee Chairman, Rep. Ojogo Kimikanboh, said Abuja’s insecurity has turned the city into a “theatre of fear,” insisting that the committee owes grieving families and anxious citizens a thorough search for the truth.
He described the failed CCTV initiative as a “scandal of monumental proportions,” saying the colossal investment has not provided the expected digital security shield for the capital.
Ojogo outlined the committee’s duties, including auditing the $460 million expenditure, examining the project’s technical capacity, evaluating its functionality and uncovering why security breaches persist.
“We are not on a witch hunt but a truth hunt,” he stated. “Our work will be thorough, transparent and focused on restoring public confidence.”
The committee is expected to trace every dollar spent, scrutinise contract documents, determine the actual operational state of the CCTV system, identify culpable officials or agencies, and recommend actionable solutions to revive the project and enhance safety in the FCT.
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