• NSCDC sends more personnel for joint rescue operations
• Adeyanju tasks Tinubu on security of lives
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen, has expressed shock that kidnapping has returned to Kaduna State.This was as the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) sent in more reinforcements in a collaborative effort with other security agencies to rescue pupils and teachers of Government Secondary School and LEA Primary School in Kuriga.
Consequently, Convener of Concerned Nigerians, Deji Adeyanju, has called on President Bola Tinubu to immediately deploy all necessary resources to restore peace and security in the country.
The Speaker bared his mind when he led a high-powered delegation of the House to commiserate with the government and people of Kaduna, following the abduction of 287 pupils in Kuriga community, Chikun Local Council of Kaduna on March 7, 2024.
Concerned by the unfortunate development, Abbas, who represents Zaria Federal Constituency of Kaduna, was at Sir Kashim Ibrahim House, Kaduna, alongside many of his colleagues, where he met with Governor Uba Sani.
Expressing sadness at the resurgence of kidnapping in the state, Abbas told Sani that “the House received the news with a big shock.” He assured that the House would use all available legislative instruments to partner the state government and others to come up with solutions that would end insecurity not only in the state but also across the country.
Noting that efforts were ongoing to rescue the school children, the Speaker said: “We thought we had seen the end of kidnapping in Kaduna State, only for it to rear its ugly head in a devastating manner.”
“We are ready to partner you in coming up with security solutions that will ensure that this kind of thing does not happen again.” The Speaker commended the governor and members of his cabinet for the measures and policies put in place to nip the resurgence of insecurity in the bud. He acknowledged the efforts of both the federal and state governments to quickly rescue the children and safely reunite them with their families.
Abbas also noted that since inauguration in June 2023, the 10th House prioritised national security, as it is the second most important item in the House Legislative Agenda.On his part, Sani urged the House to revisit the issue of state police.
COMMANDANT-GENERAL of NSCDC, Ahmed Audi, disclosed the reinforcement of personnel when he visited Governor Sani to restate the agency’s efforts to bring back the pupils.
Audi assured the governor that with collaborative efforts, there would be speedy recovery of those abducted and they will be brought home safe. He condemned the kidnapping, describing it as an unfortunate and worrisome act of sabotage.
The commandant assured the governor that security agencies were relentlessly working to effect the release of the victims. Responding, Uba said the NSCDC gesture would boost the joint team rescue efforts involving the armed forces, police, among others.
ADEYANJU also appealed to the President to relocate all service chiefs to Kaduna and Borno states, where children and women were abducted by bandits last week.
Reacting to the development in Abuja, the human rights lawyer condemned the recent invasion of a mosque in Kaduna by terrorists, resulting in the tragic loss of innocent lives.
“It is our firm belief that the presence of service chiefs in Kaduna and Borno will demonstrate the government’s commitment to the safety of its citizens. It will reassure the affected community and serve as a symbol of resolve in combating these acts of terror.”
