Political class, security chiefs promise action on killings, abduction epidemic
• Tinubu summons security chiefs, vows to stamp out remaining vestiges of Boko Haram, banditry
• IGP orders intensified efforts to decimate kidnappers in FCT
• Police not properly equipped to fight kidnapping – Ex-DSS Director
After numerous calls for urgent action to stem the tide of killings and abduction epidemic across the country, President Bola Tinubu, yesterday, met with his service chiefs and other heads of security agencies at the State House, Abuja, to find a lasting solution to the menace.
The meeting is coming on the heels of renewed security breaches in some parts of the country, especially in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), where kidnappers have wrecked heinous brutality in the last few days.
Present at the meeting were the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa; Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Taoreed Lagbaja; Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogala; Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Hassan Abubakar; the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun; and heads of other security agencies.
It is believed that President Tinubu and his security chiefs will be reviewing recent security situations and come up with ways to tame the rising reign of criminals, including kidnappers and bandits.
The meeting is also coming few hours after the Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike, convened his own security appraisal meeting over the horror unleashed on Abuja residents by kidnappers, who have resorted to mindless killing and demands for heavy ransom from victims.
The political class have been spurred on to yield to public outcry following incessant kidnappings across the country. Residents of Abuja and outskirts of the seat of power had been highly unsettled following widespread insecurity characterised by frequent and indiscriminate kidnapping, robbing of persons by bandits.
After a prolonged outcry, the FCT Minister yesterday summoned an emergency meeting where critical security decisions, which were not disclosed, were taken.
The IGP, Egbetokun, also convened a crucial meeting with the Force’s management team and tactical squads, where he called for the intensification of efforts to decimate kidnappers and other criminally-minded individuals in the FCT.
Police spokesman, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, said the IGP expressed deep concern over the unfortunate events and emphasised the need for decisive action to curb such heinous crimes.
He said in the meeting which focused on a “comprehensive review of current security challenges, strategic planning, and the deployment of tactical resources to tackle emerging threats, the IGP emphasised the need for a coordinated and intelligence-driven approach to address the evolving security landscape. Tactical squads were briefed and directed to intensify efforts on the deployment of proactive measures to prevent criminal activities and protect citizens.”
Despite the worsening security situation in the FCT, he assured Abuja residents of improved conditions. The police chief ordered the Deputy Inspector-General of Police, Department of Operations to “personally coordinate the upscaled security strategies emplaced to decimate kidnappers and other criminally minded individuals in the FCT, and immediately restore normalcy.”
Earlier, the President had vowed that his government will stamp out the remaining vestiges of Boko Haram, Ansaru, banditry and kidnapping gangs, adding that “we won’t rest until every agent of darkness is completely rooted out.”
Speaking at the launch of the book, ‘Working with Buhari, Reflections of a Special Adviser on Media and Publicity (2015—2023)’, authored by Femi Adesina, Tinubu eulogised his predecessor, Muhammadu Buhari, for courageously taking over the reins of power in 2015 at a critical time when terrorism was at its peak in the country and admitted he inherited a job of securing every inch of the country, which is yet to be finished.
The President acknowledged that he inherited huge liabilities from his predecessor but said his administration is poised to work assiduously towards completion of the Abuja-Kaduna-Kano expressway among others.
According to President Tinubu, “at a point it appeared even Abuja, the seat of government, would fall into the hands of Boko Haram with the bombing of the United Nations (UN) building, Banex Plaza, Nyanya and other locations within the FCT.
“We cannot easily forget how our armed forces battled the Boko Haram terrorists under the leadership of President Buhari to reclaim our territory and push them to the fringes of Lake Chad where they no longer pose existential threat to our sovereignty.
“I must say the job of securing every inch of our country is yet to be finished. My government will stamp out the remaining vestiges of Boko Haram, Ansaru, banditry and kidnapping gangs. We won’t rest until every agent of darkness is completely rooted out.
“Whatever unresolved challenges faced by President Buhari in his eight years, our administration will endeavour to resolve them. As I said during the campaigns, I inherited all his assets and liabilities.
“Our administration will continue to work from where President Buhari stopped, to make our country better, create a vibrant economy and secure the environment to bring more prosperity to our people.”
MEANWHILE, former Director of State Security Services (DSS), Dennis Amachree, has told the Federal Government to equip the police with the needed technology to end kidnapping.
According to him, “there is a need for the government to take ownership of the kidnap and ransom process. Kidnappers carry out their act at random, negotiate with families of victims and collect huge ransoms with impunity without government intervention.
“As we approach the level where these non-state actors become bolder, top government officials in Abuja and their families are at risk. “The police and other security agents are not failing. Problem is that they are not equipped with modern technology to quell this existential threat. How many attack helicopters does the police have in their headquarters, not to mention state commands. When these are not available to enhance the response time and free hostages, why will there be no impunity.
“Also, in an environment where arrested kidnappers are not prosecuted and jailed, it becomes an attractive business for young people, without meaningful employment.”
According to former president of Private Security Practitioners, Dr Wilson Esangbedo, citizens have failed the police by not giving enough information.
His words: “The new government came with new strategies and changed personnel leading the security agencies. This normally will cause fear among the criminal elements who will gauge the strength and direction of law enforcement, including the army where they see sustained gaps, they will cash in to strike.
“The police have not failed. We have failed as citizens because we have not given the police enough information to act. The police need to close the identified gaps and carry out raids on criminal hideouts to fish out the criminals with the support of other security agencies. When they come out strongly, the criminals will hide and stay off crime until the gaps return once again.”
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