The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has announced that newly installed streetlights across Abuja are being fitted with advanced security features to curb vandalism and protect public infrastructure.
Speaking after inspecting ongoing road projects in the FCT on Thursday, Wike said the move became necessary following repeated cases of theft and destruction of streetlights by criminal elements. He disclosed that the contractors handling the projects, China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation and CGC Nigeria Limited, have been directed to integrate surveillance systems into the installations.
According to the minister, each streetlight network will be connected to a Surveillance Module linked to a central control room. This system, he explained, will capture and record any attempt to tamper with or vandalise the facilities.
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Wike noted that China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation has made significant progress, particularly along the Airport Road corridor, where installation is nearing completion. He expressed confidence that once both companies conclude their assignments, incidents of streetlight theft would drastically reduce across the territory.
He said the introduction of technology-driven monitoring was a practical response to the shortage of security personnel. Deploying police officers to guard streetlights across the vast capital city, he observed, is not sustainable. The control room system will instead allow authorities to monitor activities remotely and respond swiftly to threats.
The development follows the inauguration of a major solar-powered streetlight project in October 2025 aimed at illuminating up to 80 percent of Abuja. The initiative was designed to improve public safety, enhance night-time visibility, and reduce the financial burden associated with conventional streetlight maintenance.
With the addition of surveillance features, the FCT Administration hopes to strengthen infrastructure protection, reduce public spending on repeated repairs, and improve security across key roads and districts in Abuja.
