The House of Representatives has launched an investigation into how the $460 million loan for the Abuja CCTV project was spent.
The probe is expected to proceed with the full cooperation of the Ministry of Finance, the Budget Office of the Federation, and the Debt Management Office.
House Speaker Abbas Tajudeen asserted that the legislature will deploy every available means to address the country’s rising insecurity, stating, “The House cannot afford to sit back and watch as the security of Nigerians is compromised.”
The Speaker made this commitment on Thursday, November 27, during the inauguration of the special ad hoc committee tasked with investigating the high rate of insecurity and loss of life in the FCT, which continues despite the project being financed by a Chinese loan.
Abbas underscored the committee’s goal: to ascertain the state of the project and trace where the money went.
He noted the significant investment had failed to curb frequent crimes such as kidnapping and robbery, which have led to continuous loss of lives and property and created a “nightmare” for the city’s inhabitants.
The Speaker said: “We have convened in this hallowed chamber to see how we can finally bring to an end the grave concern and collective anguish of the people we represent, especially those currently resident in the federal capital territory, which has seen more than its fair share of violent crimes.
“The alarming and unprecedented rise in insecurity in the nation’s capital is both unacceptable and intolerable. It commands urgent, decisive attention.
“It is sad and shameful that the city that has earned a reputation for itself as one of the most peaceful, most elegant, and most organized cities in West Africa, is now transformed into a haven for hoodlums and other nefarious characters.
“Nearly every other day, crimes of kidnapping and robbery occur with frequent loss of lives and property, turning the city into a nightmare for residents.
“Let me remind us that the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, is more than just a city. It is the symbol of our national unity, the heart of our democracy, and the face of Nigeria to the world.
“When insecurity festers here, it strikes at the very core of our nation’s sovereignty and shatters the sense of safety that should be the bare minimum expected by every citizen and resident.”
The Speaker lamented that the situation is compounded by a deeply troubling paradox, adding that “this House, in exercising its constitutional duty of oversight, is acutely aware of the substantial investments made to secure our capital.
“Paramount among these is CCTV project, a sophisticated security infrastructure secured with a Chinese loan of $460 million.
“The fundamental question that has compelled the establishment of this Ad-hoc Committee is one that every Nigerian is asking: Why, despite this colossal investment, are our citizens still being terrorised, kidnapped, and killed in the FCT.
“Where is the digital shield that $460 million was meant to erect? Where is the deterrence, the intelligence-gathering capability, and the operational leverage that this project promised.”
Abbas said further that it is not just a question of financial probity, but one that borders on national security and public trust, saying “the Nigerian people deserve answers. They deserve to know if these funds have been effectively deployed or tragically squandered.
“They deserve to know if the system is operational and merely underutilized, or if it has been crippled by technical failures, inadequate maintenance, or worse, sheer negligence and mismanagement.”
Turning to members of the Committee, the Speaker said: “You have been entrusted with a sacred mandate. Your task is not to witch-hunt, but to uncover the truth.
“For the avoidance of doubt, your terms of reference include conducting a thorough and forensic investigation into the status of the $460 million CCTV project; determining its operational capacity, functionality, and integration with the security architecture in the FCT.
“Ascertain why this project has not yielded the desired result of stemming the tide of criminality in the Federal Capital Territory.
“It also include to Identify any acts of impropriety, incompetence, or sabotage, and hold all responsible agencies or individuals accountable, provide actionable recommendations for the immediate activation, completion, or overhaul of this critical security asset and determine why there has been such a significant rise in crime in Abuja and why the police and other security agencies have not been able to cope with the situation.”
Abbas said Heads of government agencies invited for the investigation should see it as a clarion call to act, a collective challenge that demands cooperation and constructive support.
He said: “It is imperative that you give the committee every assistance it needs to get to the root of this matter. It is both your civic duty and a constitutional obligation. We expect full disclosure, unfettered access, and transparent engagement.
“As for our revered Traditional Rulers, who are the closest to the people, we need their help now more than ever before. We urge you, respectfully, to continue to foster community cooperation and intelligence-sharing with our security agencies.
“Your roles as stabilizers and trusted intermediaries are invaluable, and the National Assembly is determined to formalise those roles and make you secure from undue influence”.
Abbas said the House will not stand idly by while the safety of Nigerians is compromised, but will deploy every legislative instrument at its disposal to ensure that the investigation is conducted and concluded, while its findings lead to tangible, lasting results.
He said: “We owe a huge debt to the victims of these heinous attacks, the families living in fear, and to every Nigerian who looks to us for protection and leadership. The best way to repay that debt is through decisive action, rigorous oversight, and an unwavering commitment to restoring security and accountability”.
Chairman of the committee, Rep. Donald Ojogo (APC, Ondo), lamented that Abuja, the nation’s seat of power, is “tragically transforming into a theatre of fear, where the echoes of gunshots and the anguish of kidnap victims have replaced the quiet hum of normal life”.
He said the rising incidents of kidnapping, armed robbery, and brutal killings are not mere statistics as they represent a profound national concern and a personal tragedy for countless families. Communities are now paralyzed by fear, and the very social fabric of our capital is unravelling at the seams.
Ojogo said: “What elevates this crisis from tragedy to scandal of monumental proportions is the stark paradox at its core: this relentless wave of terror crashes upon us despite a massive investment—a Chinese loan of $460,000,000 secured for the singular purpose of creating an impregnable security shield for the FCT.
“This was no ordinary initiative. It was a flagship project, a critical layer in our national security architecture, promised to be the ever-watchful eye over our capital—a digital sentinel designed to deter crime, empower our security forces, and ensure that perpetrators face the justice they deserve.
“Every life lost in the FCT stains our national conscience. Every dollar squandered on this failed project is a resource wasted on the violation of our resolve for national development.
“We owe the grieving families answers. We owe Nigerian taxpayers accountability. We owe the nation both the restoration of safety and the reaffirmation of justice.”
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