.Reps decry decade-long kidnapping
Hours after dozens of patrol motorcycles were deployed to the outskirts of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), suspected gunmen reportedly invaded Piko, a remote community in Bwari Area Council of Abuja, and kidnapped 13 people in a deadly operation that lasted over an hour.
The Guardian learnt that the attack occurred on Sunday, May 5 about 11pm, without any challenge from security agencies or the vigilante group.
According to sources, the village head, John Jatau, confirmed that 10 residents were kidnapped from his domain, including four nomadic Fulani herdsmen. But one of the herdsmen escaped.
“The kidnappers demanded N900 million ransom, and the community is still reeling from the shock,” a source revealed.
Those kidnapped include Nuhu Anyiwoyi, Emmanuel Nuhu, Danjuma Ali, Parisa Numa, Ezekiel Jatau, Shekwosa Ezekiel, Roseline Samuel, Salome Jacob, Abyelo Ezra and Ezra Male.
Meanwhile, the FCT Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Josephine Adeh, who was contacted, did not confirm the incident.
IN what many Nigerians may describe as ‘mere political posturing’, the House of Representatives, yesterday, expressed concern over kidnappings and wanton destruction of life and property across schools in the country since 2014.
The lawmakers lamented that students were no longer safe, even in their schools, especially in Borno, Nasarawa, Niger, Zamfara, Katsina and Kaduna states.
This was a sequel to the adoption of a motion of urgent national importance moved by Billy Osawaru during plenary.
The Guardian observed that since the inception of the 10th Assembly, the House has passed several resolutions aimed at tackling insecurity, including calls for increased funding for security agencies, community policing and intelligence gathering. But insecurity has continued unabated despite these motions.
Tired of the endless motions, the Minority Leader, Kingsley Chinda, said it was time the lower chamber began demanding the implementation of some of its resolutions.
The House, therefore, mandated the House Committees on Army, Air Force, Navy, Police Affairs and Defence to interface with all security chiefs to identify how best to secure schools and proffer immediate lasting solutions to the security challenges in the country.
It also mandated schools to engage the services of private security outfits to complement the efforts of the security agencies in securing the schools.