The Senate has called for the recruitment of more Police personnel to boaster Security forces’ capacity, to combat kidnappings and other criminal activities in Nigeria.
The Legislature also called on the Nigerian Communication Commissions, NCC, to urgently ensure the functionality of dedicated emergency numbers for police, ambulance, and fire service emergencies, that would enhance swift response to security and public safety incidents.
This followed the adoption of a motion sponsored by Delta North Senator, Ned Nwoko title “Galadimawa Kidnap incident response and need to urgently enhance security measures in the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Abuja.”
According to Senator Nwoko, 19 individuals, including the Senator’s Senior Legislative Aide, Barrister Chris Agidy, were abducted in November last year in the Area.
On the 23rd November, 2023, the Senate vide a motion resolved that Security Agencies to fortify security and address the surge of kidnappings in the Federal Capital Territory, FCT.
The resolution was prompted by the tragic abduction of 19 individuals, including Senator Ned Nwoko’s Senior Legislative AIDS, Barrister Chris Agidy, in Galadimawa, Abuja.
Nwoko said the FCT Police Command operatives quickly conducted a successful operation, where they raided some areas and arrested a notorious kidnap kingpin, Samaila Wakili Fafa, also known as Habu Ibrahim, who confessed that he and his gang carried out the act.
“The FCT Police Command operatives conducted a successful operation on 24th February, 2024. Acting on reliable intelligence, they raided Sardinia Forest in Toto, Nasarawa State, and apprehended Samaila Wakili Fafa, also known as Habu Ibrahim, a notorious kidnap kingpin who has long eluded capture and has been on the Command’s wanted list.
“The suspect has admitted that his criminal syndicate orchestrated and carried out numerous kidnappings in the FCT and its surrounding areas, including the abduction of Barrister Chris Agidy and Mr. Sunday Yahaya Zakwai, the District Head of Ketti Village.”
Discussing the motion at the plenary, the Nigerian Upper Chamber urged the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun to see to the installation of CCTV Cameras in strategic locations within and around Abuja, highways and other major capital cities to bolster surveillance and deter criminal activities.
The Senate also summoned the FCT Minister, Barrister Nyesom Wike and the Commissioner of Police In the federal capital to appear before the its Committee on Security for more briefing on security situation in FCT.
It also mandated the Senate Committees on Defense and Police to recommend robust strategies to prevent future kidnappings with FCT.
Mercy Chukwudiebere
