- Senate directs security agencies to conduct special operations in North West to dislodge bandits amid rising student abductions
- Senate summons security chiefs to address the increasing abduction of university students across Nigeria and calls for proactive measures
The Senate has directed the military and other security agencies to conduct special operations in the North West to dislodge bandits.
It also resolved to summon all security chiefs in response to the increasing abduction of university students nationwide.
During plenary, Senator Abdulaziz Musa Yar’Adua (Katsina Central) raised the issue of the kidnapping of five female students from the Federal University Dutsinma (FUDMA), Katsina, in the early hours of Wednesday.
The attack came 12 days after bandits stormed three hostels at the Federal University of Gusau in Zamfara State and abducted 24 students. Sixteen were successfully freed three days later during a security agency-led rescue operation.
On August 21, bandits abducted eight corps members while on their way to camp in Zamfara State.
Senator Yar’Adua stated that the kidnapping incidents had frightened the university and academic communities.
The lawmaker expressed concern that kidnappings for ransom have almost become a daily and weekly occurrence in major towns and communities in the North West geopolitical zone.
The Senate agreed to set a date for security chiefs to address lawmakers about student abductions and efforts to combat the threat.
It instructed the police to ensure that the school protection squad clearly committed to protecting schools and providing a safe environment for students and teachers.
It also urged Nigeria’s various security agencies to release all kidnapped students as soon as possible proactively.
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