Tinubu: Education is Antidote to Nation’s Insecurity, Poverty, Other Problems

•Says incessant kidnappings, banditry ungodly 

•IG meets DIGs, AIGs, CPs, tactical squads

•Wike meets security chiefs

•Sani, Afenifere, AI, HURIWA, CSJ, others condemn devt

Chuks Okocha, Kingsley Nwezeh, Olawale Ajimotokan, Michael Olugbode, Sunday Aborisade, Kuni Tyessi in Abuja and John Shiklam in Kaduna

President Bola Tinubu, yesterday, condemned the recent spate of kidnappings and bandit attacks, in the country, saying the antidote to Nigeria’s problems, including poverty, was education.

The president, however, described the development as disturbing, ungodly, and sinister.

Also, yesterday, the Inspector-General of Police,  Kayode Egbetokun, convened a crucial meeting with the force management team and tactical squads, to address the rising insecurity in the country.

At the same time, the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, and the Service Chiefs, yesterday, met over the security situation in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

Similarly, the Kaduna State Governor, Senator Uba Sani, has decried the return of bandits in seven local government areas in the state as well as the Kaduna-Abuja highway.

In the same breath, pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere, has urged the various security agencies in the country to fish out individuals and groups aiding the activities of kidnappers and bandits in the numerous communities currently experiencing the menace.

Senator Ireti Kingibe, the Senator representing the FCT, has equally deplored the worsening security situation in Abuja, the nation’s capital.

Centre for Social Justice (CSJ), on its part, has lamented that the country’s security situation had degenerated to the extent that it could be stated that the government has failed its primary and constitutional duty of guaranteeing the security of Nigerians and residents in Nigeria

Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria  (HURIWA),has asked Tinubu and the service chiefs to look inwards for solution to the resurgence of insurgency because the federal government has concealed the identities of key sponsors of terrorism.

However, speaking when he received a delegation of  an Islamic Movement, Jam’iyyatu Ansariddeen the State House, in Abuja, the president said while security agencies were acting with dispatch to immediately address the current challenge, all required resources, policies and plans would be rolled out soon for the massive education of Nigerian youths.

Tinubu maintained that education was the antidote to the troubles agitating the nation, adding that, “There is no weapon against poverty that is as potent as learning.

“I can assure you that we are here to change the lives of our people. We are here to promote peace, stability, and economic prosperity.

“We are dedicated to building a lasting peace with a focus on the comprehensive education of our children. We will get our teachers and their owners involved in an education process that will be relevant to the future of this country.

“It is important. Knowledge brought me here with your prayers and your support. Without knowledge, there is nothing to generate hope for mankind,” the president said.

He emphasised that it was important to promote updated knowledge through existing Islamic learning institutions for youths in Northern Nigeria to speed up development in the region, in Nigeria, and throughout Africa.

“Please embark on special prayers. Embark on proper education for our youths. Kidnapping and banditry are not the way of God. Shedding each other’s blood is bad.

“And there can be no development without peace. It is only in the area of peace that we can eliminate poverty. We must work for peace in order for our economy to grow better,” the president stated.

Earlier, leader of the Jam’iyyatu Ansaridden, Sheikh Muhammad Lamine Niass, encouraged the president to continue implementing his reform initiatives while affirming that his movement, reputed for its promotion of peace and tolerance, would continue to pray for Nigeria’s peaceful development.

IG Meets DIGs, AIGs,  CPs, Tactical Squads

Following the spate of kidnappings in the  Federal Capital Territory and other similar incidents across the country, the Inspector-General of Police,  Kayode Egbetokun, yesterday, convened a crucial meeting with the force management team and tactical squads, to address the rising concerns surrounding insecurity in the country.

The IG expressed concern over the unfortunate events and emphasised the need for decisive action to curb such heinous crimes.

During the meeting which centred 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.

A statement by the Force Public Relations Officer and Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP), Olumuyiwa Adejobi, said the IG, while reassuring Nigerians, especially residents of the Federal Capital Territory, of improved security, 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.

In addition to operational strategies, the IG underscored the significance of community engagement and collaboration with relevant stakeholders to gather information, enhance trust, and foster a collective effort in combating criminal elements.

Wike, Service Chiefs Meet

The FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, and the Service Chiefs, yesterday, met over the security situation in the Federal Capital Territory.

The parley which also had in attendance the six Area Council Chairmen was held at the FCT Administration Secretariat.

Tension has been high in Abuja, the nation’s capital of late on account of banditry unleashed on Bwari Area Council by criminal elements, who abducted 10 residents of Sagwari Estate, Dutse.

Three of the captives were killed while the bandits placed N700 million ransom on the remaining seven victims to regain their freedom.

Wike, who addressed the media before the meeting went into a closed session, assured the residents of Bwari Area Council not to panic, saying the team was taking every step to make sure that the security challenges were tackled.

“We are all aware of the security situation in the Federal Capital Territory, particularly Bwari and some other areas that we have witnessed security challenges. I am also aware that sometimes the press overblow what is happening but indeed we owe a duty to make sure that FCT is safe.

“We will do all we can and we assure Nigerians who reside here that there is no need for panic. We are taking every step to make sure that those challenges are things that we must have to resolve.

“So, this meeting is practically to look into such challenges and see how we will be able to resolve the problems and that is why we invited all the Council Chairmen because they also have a responsibility in their various Area Council,” Wike said.

The minister, however, assured the people that they would put heads together and come up with a solution.

“For the press, this is just for you to know that we are not sleeping, security also are not sleeping. We will require every support that they require in order take away the fears of the citizens or residents.”

Wike, who also fingered the Area Councils Chairmen as part of the problem, accused them of abdicating their responsibilities by traveling out of their domain at will.

He, therefore, warned that, “This time around we will not be happy, where Area Council Chairmen will leave their responsibilities and travel out. We have gotten reports that council chairmen travel anytime and then, if anything happens, they will not call anybody’s name except the FCT Minister.

“Recently NUT has embarked on strike and it is not our fault but the Area Councils. Primary schools are under the body of the Area Councils but again, it will look as if the ministers are doing nothing but that is not our responsibility.

“However, we can’t fold our hands and we have invited them to this meeting to see how we can resolve the problem. So Council chairmen should know that, they must live up to their responsibilities.

“It is not everything that happens, they would say it is the ministers that have not taken steps.  So for your information, we are doing everything we can to resolve the security challenges we are recently facing,” he said.

Sani Decries Resurgence of Banditry

Kaduna State Governor, Senator Uba Sani, has decried the return of bandits in seven local government areas in the state as well as the Kaduna-Abuja highway.

The governor expressed the concern yesterday while addressing a security meeting attended by traditional rulers and the 23 council chairmen at the Government House, Kaduna.

While lamenting the attacks along the Kaduna- Abuja highway and in some parts of the state in the past few weeks, the governor hinted that the state government was considering establishing a Security Trust Fund to enhance material and logistic support to security forces.

He said the sudden return of bandits in Kauru, Kajuru, Birnin Gwari, Igabi, Chikun, Kachia, and Kagarko LGAs were unfortunate.

“You are aware of the attacks on citizens and military personnel along the Kaduna-Birnin Gwari Road and in the Birnin Gwari general area.

“Bandits and terrorists have exploited gaps, particularly around Maganda, Kuyello, and other villages surrounding Buruku, Udawa, Damba, Kuriga, Polewire, and other flash points, to carry out ambushes on citizens, as well as security forces attempting to respond to distress calls.

“Chikun, Giwa, and Igabi have become areas of concern as well. From Maraban Rido and Kudendan axis in Chikun, Sauran Goma, Kerawa, and Dunki areas of Igabi have also witnessed attacks and killings. I also followed the developments in Giwa from Kidandan, Kaya, Sabon Layi, and Idasu,” the governor said.

Afenifere to Security: Fish Out Collaborators in Communities

Pan-Yoruba socio-cultural and political organisation, Afenifere, has urged the various security agencies in the country to fish out individuals and groups aiding the activities of kidnappers and bandits in the numerous communities currently experiencing the menace.

Afenifere, in a statement by its Publicity Secretary, Jare Ajayi, said the steps to end kidnaping and terrorism threatening to overrun the country were within the ambit of the stakeholders.

The group insisted that the stakeholders had what it takes to put an end to “or at least drastically reduce the incidents of terrorism in our midst if they are truly committed to doing so.”

It explained that the stakeholders included the government, security agencies and the people.

Afenifere urged President Bola Tinubu to issue a Presidential Order to encourage states and local government councils wishing to set up local policing systems to do so.

The statement also noted that the network providers in the communication industry should also be involved in the fight against insecurity.

“We start from the seemingly weakest yet very significant sector, the telecommunication. A few years ago,  Nigerians were stampeded to register for the National Identification Number, Bank Verification Number as well as registering their telephone numbers.

“The argument put up then was that doing so would make it easier for criminals to be nabbed by security agencies. Years after the registrations had taken place and years after virtually every person using or owning telephone number(s) are in the database accessible to the government, criminality and terrorism are not only still with us, they are also festering with unprecedented ferocity!”

The group added that failure to use tracking method to nab criminals, especially those using telephone sets to communicate, was a serious indictment on those meant to include such in their intelligence gathering and criminal fighting strategies.

Amnesty International: Tinubu Should Declare Emergency on Kidnapping

Global human rights group, Amnesty International, has tasked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to treat the growing rate of kidnapping in the country especially the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja, and declare an emergency on the issue.

Amnesty International joined the growing list of Nigerians and other critical stakeholders expressing anger following heinous attacks by kidnappers and their accomplices against innocent citizens and residents.

In a statement by its Director Amnesty International Nigeria, Isa Sanusi, the global rights organisation specifically called on Tinubu to use lawful measures to end the cycle of violence and fear which Nigerians are living in today.

The statement read: “Last week, over 45 people travelling between Otukpo in Benue State and Enugu were kidnapped and nothing has been heard about them yet.

“Also, last week, Nabeeha – a student was killed in captivity because her family could not urgently meet the kidnappers’ demand for a N60 million ransom.

“Her siblings are still in captivity with the kidnappers. Also, one of the 10 people kidnapped at an estate in Dutse near Abuja was killed over failure of her family to pay ransom.

“We are now facing an epidemic of kidnapping. People in Nigeria are now living on the knife edge. Widespread insecurity and the chaos it causes have been exacerbated by routine kidnapping, as armed groups tighten their stranglehold on the country. Nigerian authorities must immediately stem the tide of kidnapping now.

“Many families choose not to report cases of kidnapping after paying ransom for fear of reprisals and as a result many incidents go undocumented. The current epidemic of kidnapping highlights the utter failure of the Nigerian authorities to effectively protect lives.”

Kingibe: Worsening Security Unacceptable

The Senator representing the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Ireti Kingibe, has deplored the worsening security situation in Abuja, the nation’s capital.

Kingibe, who was reacting to the killing of Nabiha Al-Kadriya, a 400 Level Biological Sciences student of Ahmadu Bello University,  Zaria, by kidnappers, said the rate and ease with which criminals abduct and kill innocent Nigerians in the federal capital was not only unacceptable to her as the representative of the people of the FCT but more importantly an embarrassment to the nation.

Nabiha, her father, Mr. Mansoor Al-Kadriya and her five sisters were kidnapped in Zuma town in Bwari, Abuja on January 2, 2024. Her father was freed by their captors to enable him raise the N60 million demanded by the kidnappers.

A few days later, Nabiha, the second daughter of Mr. Al-Kadriya, was murdered by her captors and the ransom demand increased to N100 million.

Kingibe, in a statement by her Senior Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Nana Kazaure, said the murder of Nabiha and those of many others killed in similar and other situations, was a blight on the national conscience and a slap on the face of government, whose primary responsibility was to secure lives and properties.

According to  Senator Kingibe, “The death of Nabiha and others who have died at the hands of kidnappers, bandits and other criminal elements, offends our most basic values of decency. It questions the raison d’ eter of government.

“At the very minimum, it is the duty of government to protect it’s citizens and ensure an atmosphere conducive for them to enjoy the fundamental freedoms guaranteed them by the Nigerian constitution.

“It is unfortunate to note that in this regard, FCT residents and indeed,  millions of other Nigerians who live on perennial fear for their safety, are being denied these constitutionally guaranteed rights.”

CSJ: Govt May Have Abandoned Its Duty

Centre for Social Justice (CSJ), has lamented that the country’s security situation has degenerated to the extent that it could be stated that the government had abandoned, failed, refused or neglected to enforce its primary and constitutional duty of guaranteeing the security of Nigerians and residents in Nigeria

The Centre, in a statement by its Lead Director, Eze Onyekpere, said it was regrettable that there was recent upsurge of insecurity exemplified by the late December 2023 killings in Plateau State, incessant killings in Katsina State, 45 passengers kidnapped as gunmen attacked transporters along Otukpo-Enugu Road and the ongoing kidnap and murder of innocent Nigerians in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory.

CSJ lamented that, “In all the foregoing, Nigerians are yet to hear concrete and reassuring words from the president and commander-in-chief of the armed forces or high-level officers of state on the way forward.

“In FCT, the minister in charge, instead of addressing the challenge seems more interested in continued fueling of a political crisis in his home state, Rivers State.”

It recalled that in the last ten years, security has enjoyed the highest allocation in federal budgets to cater for the armada of security agencies maintained at the tax payers expense.

“Budgetary allocations have been proposed and spent on personnel, arms and ammunition, aircrafts and vessels, vehicles, equipment including intelligence gadgets. We are worried at the seeming cluelessness and inability of the security agencies to deploy intelligence to prevent and nip in the bud the insensitive acts of criminal elements who have no regard for human lives.

“We are further worried that when these crimes have been committed, the security agencies have been unable to investigate, arrest and bring the perpetrators to justice.”

HURIWA: Tinubu Must Look Inwards on Upsurge of Insecurity

Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria  (HURIWA) has asked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the service chiefs to look inwards for solution to the resurgence of insurgency because the federal government has concealed the identities of key sponsors of terrorism.

The civil rights group said it had become necessary for Nigerians to protect themselves as heads of the military institutions have collectively accepted to live with the reality that they can’t uproot internal moles and saboteurs, who are in the military forces but collaborating, conspiring and working actively with terrorism masterminds.

The group also appealed to President Bola Tinubu “to act fast and decisively before the kidnappers start going from house to house in Maitama, Asokoro, Garki and Wuse to pick and choose whomsoever they wish to kidnap or the kidnappers and terrorists may even introduce monthly freedom from and Kidnappers tax on residents of Abuja metropolis and families will comply since there is a collapse of political administration in Nigeria at the moment.

In a statement by the national coordinator of the group, Emmanuel Onwubiko, the group said, “The President is lackadaisical about the issues of insecurity and the frightening dimensions that terrorists have carved franchise and sophisticated and well-organised criminal networks of kidnappings and have infiltrated the Federal Capital Territory because the president,  his cabinet members, legislators at the national Assembly are protected round the clock at public costs by Brigades of Guards.

“And because of the perceived invincibility of these political elites within the corridors of power, the security and wellbeing of everyone else known as commoners does not count as a priority subject of interest to Mr. President, hence the seeming overruling of Abuja by terrorists masquerading as kidnappers for ransom payments.

“Mr. President needs to feel the apprehensions, the pains and pangs and the unending anxieties of Nigerians and then do the needful because if this heightened state of insecurity continues, the political office holders will lose legitimacy and chaos and anarchy would be let loose and the entire country will be like a wasteland because everyone is looking for his or her own security because the government has lost the monopoly of organised, legitimised violence,” the group lamented.