By Lawal Gwanda
The Senate has expressed worries on the incessant killings and rampant kidnappings of citizens in the country and resolved to invite Service Chiefs to discuss on the lasting solutions towards solving the issue.
Senator Abdul’aziz Musa ‘Yar’adua, representing Katsina Central who presented the motion said the Senate has expressed worries on the incessant killings and rampant kidnappings of citizens in the country.
This made the Senate in its recent plenary, resolved to invite Service Chiefs to discuss on the lasting solutions towards solving insecurity bedeviling the country.
Senator Abdul’aziz Musa ‘Yar’adua presented the motion on the matter, praying for the Senate to invite Service Chiefs to discuss on the impending menace.
Senator ‘Yar’adua who is the Chairman Senate Committee On Army. explained that insecurity threat and kidnappings, particularly in the Northern part of the country has became rampant hence the need for government to brace up towards protecting people’s life and property.
“I presented a motion on the kidnapping of 5 students of the Federal University, Duntsinma, and other cases of kidnapping for ransom in the Northwestern geopolitical zone of Nigeria. This incident has thrown the academic institutions into a panicky mood.”
Another incident of kidnapping according to him happened at the Federal University, Gusau when 24 students were abducted on September 22, 2023, though 16 of them were successfully freed three days later during the rescue operation conducted by the security agencies.
“Subsequently, eight corps members were kidnapped by suspected terrorists while on their way to Zamfara State on August 21, 2023. The Corps members were posted to Sokoto State for their one-year mandatory National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) when the vehicle was intercepted by the terrorists.”
The Mutawallen Katsina recalled that when Inspector General of Police Kayode Egbetokun was appointed in June 2023, among his first actions was the creation of the school squad, an initiative aimed at enhancing the safety of schools and children. Quoting the Public Relations Officer of the Nigerian Police, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejoji. “The squad will be equipped with relevant assets and advanced training to effectively respond to security challenges facing educational institutions across the country.
Senator ‘Yar’adua explained that the frequent cases of kidnapping for ransom have become almost a daily and weekly occurrence in major towns and communities in the North West geopolitical zone.
He therefore called on the Senate to urge the military and other security agencies to enhance and coordinate their intelligence in order to ensure the safe return of kidnapped students, dislodge bandits in the north-west zone, and other security challenges facing the country at large.
The Senator also commended security agencies for their on-going efforts in tackling the menace of kidnapping, insurgency, and other security challenges facing the country.
