By Jerry Olomolaye
The Senate has called on the military and other security agencies to conduct special operations to dislodge bandits in the Northwest and other parts of Nigeria with similar experiences.
It also resolved to invite the Service Chiefs to brief it in a closed session on steps being taken to mitigate rising insecurity in the country.
The Senate resolution was sequel to its consideration and adoption of a motion at plenary today.
The motion titled: “Kidnapping of University students in Federal University, Dutsinma, Katsina State on Wednesday October 4th 2023 and rising cases of kidnapping for ransom in the Northwest Geopolitical zone was sponsored by Sen. Abdulaziz Yar’Adua (APC – Katsina).
Yar’Adua in his lead debate, said it was a concern on the kidnap of five female students of the Federal University, Dutsinma (FUDMA) in Katsina State by gunmen from their hostel rooms on October 4th.
He said a fortnight ago, 24 school students of Federal University of Gusau were also abducted.
According to him, 16 of them have been successfully freed after three days at a rescue conducted by security agencies.
He said it was worrisome that kidnapping incidents has thrown the University and academic communities into a panic mood.
He said there was also the case of eight Corps members kidnapped by suspected terrorists on their way to camp in Zamfara on August 21.
“The corps members were traveling in an Akwa Ibom Transport Company (AKTC) bus from Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, to Sokoto State, for the one-year mandatory national service, when their vehicle was intercepted by the terrorists,”he said.
He said it was a concerned that the frequency of kidnapping for ransom has become almost a daily and weekly occurrence in major towns and communities in the Northwest geopolitical zone.
Senate therefore, urged security agencies to be more proactive and ensure all kidnapped victims in the country, including students kidnapped in Katsina, NYSC members kidnapped in Zamfara and students kidnapped from Federal University Gusau, were released safe and sound.
It urged the Federal Government to address the manpower needs of the police and other security agencies to enable them tackle the security situations in the country.
It called on the Federal Government to urgently address unemployment and poverty in the country, which it described as twin evils fueling insecurity in the country.
It directed the Nigeria Police to ensure that the school protection squad demonstrates a clear commitment to protecting school children and provide a safe environment where students and teachers can engage in teaching and learning without the fear of being attacked or kidnapped.
The Senate further directed its Committee on Legislative Compliance to ensure the relevant security agencies comply with its resolution.
