Reps minority caucus: Highway kidnapping alarming… security agencies must change tactics

The minority caucus in the house of representatives has expressed concern over the insecurity in the country.

In a statement issued on Monday, Kingsley Chinda, leader of the caucus, said the “frequent” abductions of travellers on highways have become worrisome.

Highlighting a series of recent kidnappings of commuters, the lawmakers said the abduction of 29 medical students by gunmen in Benue while travelling for a conference is a threat to the future of education and healthcare in the country.

“These young men and women, dedicated to pursuing knowledge and bettering the lives of their fellow Nigerians, must not be left to suffer in the hands of criminals,” the statement reads.

The caucus also condemned the kidnapping of Isa Muhammad Bawa, the Sarkin Gobir of Gatawa district in Sokoto, and his son, describing it as an affront to traditional institutions.

The legislators said the killing of Tanimu Kunbiya, the Gara of Chanchanji, and his son, Yusuf, in Taraba state, shows a total breakdown of security in the nation.

“The alarming rate at which criminals have seized our nation by the jugular, casting doubts on the capacity of the nation-state to defend itself and protect citizens calls for serious concerns,” the caucus said.

“No section of our country appears safe for citizens to live their lives, uplift their wellbeing, and contribute to the growth and progress of our country.

“In particular, our interstate highway systems, which serve not only as the backbone of our transportation system but as the commerce corridors through which commercial entities and citizens move their goods and services, providing businesses lifelines, have become deathtraps and the staging posts of kidnappers, extortionists, and criminal elements of the dark underworld.

“The minority caucus of the house of representatives, gravely worried about the prevailing conditions of our interstate highways and the general state of insecurity in our country, expresses its deep concern and outright condemnation of the recent kidnappings that have further highlighted the alarming state of insecurity in our nation.

“Furthermore, the kidnapping of the Anambra State Commissioner for Sports and Youth Development, Mr. Patrick Mba, and his wife on the highway in Kogi state, who was released yesterday by his abductors, underscores the terrifying reality that no one is safe, not even those who have dedicated their lives to public service.

“These incidents are not isolated; they represent a broader, more concerning trend of increasing lawlessness and insecurity in our country.

“The frequency and audacity of these attacks suggest a complete breakdown in our security architecture, and this cannot be allowed to continue while we pretend or console ourselves with the conclusion that the situation is improving.”

‘SECURITY AGENCIES SHOULD ACT SWIFTLY’

The lawmakers called on security agencies, including the police, and the Department of State Services (DSS) to “change their tactics of engagement and act swiftly and decisively”.

“It is imperative and indeed an unconditional demand that the kidnapped citizens are rescued unharmed, and the perpetrators of these crimes are brought to justice,” the group said.

“The government must prioritise the safety of all Nigerians. We cannot allow our nation to slide into anarchy, where criminals operate with impunity, and the citizens live in constant fear. The time for rhetoric is over; now is the time for action.

“As leaders, we must take responsibility and work collaboratively to restore peace and security across Nigeria.

“The minority caucus urges the government to invest in intelligence gathering, improve coordination among security agencies, and implement community-based security strategies that involve local leaders and stakeholders.”

The caucus asked President Bola Tinubu to “wake up” to his responsibilities of protecting lives and families and declare a state of emergency in the security sector.