The House of
Representatives, on Monday
in Abuja met with the nation’s
security chiefs to find
solution to the incessant
destruction of lives and
property across the country.
The lawmakers particularly
expressed concern over the
situation in Aba, Abia, Abuja
and other capital cities in the
country.
Speaking at the meeting,
Chairman, House Committee
on Army, Shawulu Kwewum,
emphasized the need to
ensure safety of the citizens
at all times.
According to him, it is
unfortunate that Abia, as one
of the original nine oil
producing states, is naturally
affected by some of the
challenges facing the oil-
bearing states.
Kwewum said that records
from the Nigerian Police made
available to the committee in
Umuahia, showed that five
kidnapping incidents were
recorded in January, 2016.
He, however, said that the
victims were eventually
rescued.
Kwewum explained that a
single kidnap case in any
location in the country would
not be acceptable and
therefore, said that all hands
must be on deck to ensure
that this menace was
completely addressed.
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“At a town hall meeting,
several groups and
individuals told the committee
that at least five persons
are kidnapped everyday in
Aba.
“Three incidents were
recorded in February, 2016
and the three were rescued
and released.
“Also in March 2016, four
incidents were recorded;
three were rescued while
one died. In April, 2016, one
incident was recorded while
two incidents were recorded
in May, 2016.
“Of course, this has become
more urgent because
kidnapping has become
widespread and even the
federal capital territory is
not a safe haven.
“This meeting has become
very important because the
technology developed to
make life easy for Nigerians
is now being used to
facilitate the extortion that
goes with kidnapping,”
Kwewum said.
He said that due to the spate
of kidnappings of innocent
citizens, many businesses
were folding up in Aba.
He further said that the
security situation had taken
a new trend considering the
killings of armed security
operatives.
Responding on behalf of the
security agencies, acting
Inspector-General of Police,
Ibrahim Idris, commended the
committee for convening the
meeting.
Idris, who was represented
by a Deputy Inspector-
General of Police, Force
Headquarters, Joshak Habila,
assured that ongoing
collaboration among security
agencies would rid the
country of crimes and
provide security.
The News Agency of Nigeria
(NAN) reports that the
meeting was attended by
representatives of
Department of State Security
(DSS), Nigerian Police and
Nigerian Army. (NAN)