Abductions: Don’t shy away from foreign assistance, Kaduna rep advises FG

Yakubu Barde, a member of the house of representatives, has condemned the recent spate of abductions in Kaduna state. 

Barde, a lawmaker representing Chikun/Kajuru federal constituency of Kaduna, said it is time for the federal government to seek foreign assistance in tackling insecurity in the country.

In recent weeks, residents of the state have been targeted by gunmen.

On Wednesday, some residents in Anguwan Gimbiya area of the state were abducted when gunmen invaded the community with “sophisticated weapons”.

Over 100 students were declared missing on Monday, following an attack by suspected bandits on Bethel Baptist High School in Damishi.

The incident occurred about 24 hours after eight persons were abducted from the staff quarters of the National Centre for Tuberculosis and Leprosy in Zaria.

According to a statement issued by his media office on Friday, Barde said the government should not “shy away from seeking foreign assistance to combat insecurity”.

“I received the news about the abduction of 16 people within my Constituency at the early hours of Thursday with heavy heart,” the statement reads.

“These ugly incidents, according to reports made available to me, that four people were abducted at Ungwan Fada Kujama and unfortunately one of them was killed by the armed bandits.

“I was also confronted with a similar situation where 12 people were kidnapped in Ungwan Gimbiya and Jujji communities within my Constituency of that fateful day, to show you the rising spate of insecurity ravaging Chikun/Kajuru federal constituency of Kaduna State, which I represent in the House of Representatives.

“Recall that I addressed the Media on the state of insecurity across my Constituency few days ago, where I condemned attack on Bethel Baptist High School Damshi, Chikun Local Government Area, where they abducted over 140 students from their hostel out of which 28 escaped from their abductors and to the glory of God, have reunited with their families. Unfortunately, 2 Military personnel lost their lives.

“Few days after the unfortunate incident which we are yet to recover from, a group which abducted the 18 people in Kakau area of Kaduna State, 10 days ago demanded for N200 million from the community.

“These are few of the heinous incidents that one recall with nostalgia, and the need for Government to go back to the drawing board. And all hands should be deck to assist the government find a lasting solution to this menace. While we need to help, government should listen and be willing to implement ideas that are proffer by well meaning citizens.

“Like I said earlier, the present administration should not shy away from seeking foreign assistance to combat insecurity, because it is not peculiar to Nigeria. But our body language has always been nonchalant.”

The lawmaker said if not tackled, “kidnappers and insurgents may derail the country”.