By Henry Umoru, Abuja

Disturbed by the spate of kidnappings in the nation’s capital city, the Senate has summoned the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory Administration, FCTA, Nyesom Wike, and the Commissioner of Police, Benneth IIgwe, to appear before it.

The Senate has urged the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, to, as a matter of urgency, increase security patrols and surveillance within Abuja and across the nation for proactive measures against kidnappings.

According to the Upper Chamber, the IGP should see to the installation of CCTV cameras in strategic locations within and around Abuja Highways, and the police should dedicate a three-digit emergency number for effective emergency response.

It has also mandated the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to urgently ensure the functionality of dedicated emergency numbers for police, ambulance, and fire service emergencies to enhance swift response to security and public safety incidents.

Resolutions of the Senate yesterday was a sequel to a motion titled “Galadimawa kidnap incident response and need to urgently enhance security measures in FCT, Nigeria. It was sponsored by Senator Ned Nwoko, PDP, North.

In his remarks, the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, said that the FCT Minister and Police Commissioner are to meet the Senate in closed-door session on a date to be written in a letter of summons to be forwarded to them by the Clerk of the Senate, Chinedu Akubueze.

He said the FCT Minister and Police Commissioner would appear before us in closed session on a date to be sent to them by the Clerk of the Senate.

“Their expected appearance before the Senate is to hear from them about measures and strategies being put in place to stem the ugly tide of kidnappings in FCT.

“Incidences like the kidnapping and killing of SLA to Senator Nwoko and some residents of FCT are worrisome and must be stopped not only in FCT but in Nigeria generally,” he said.

Earlier in his presentation, Senator Nwoko said that “the Senate notes that on November 23, 2023, the Senate, vide a motion, resolved that security agencies should fortify security and address the surge of kidnappings in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

“Notes also that the resolution was prompted by the tragic abduction of 19 individuals, including Senator Ned Nwoko’s Senior Legislative Aide, Barrister Chris Agidy, in Galadimawa, Abuja.

“Aware that upon receiving the distressing news, Senator Ned Nwoko took immediate action and promptly contacted the FCT Commissioner of Police, Benneth C. Igweh, who swiftly activated the OC Anti-Kidnapping Team to secure the release of those abducted.

“Informed that the FCT Police Command operatives conducted a successful operation on 24th February, 2024. Acting on reliable intelligence, they raided Sardauna Forest in Toto, Nasarawa State, and apprehended Samaila Wakili Fafa, also known as Habu Ibrahim, a notorious kidnap kingpin who has long eluded capture and has been on the command’s wanted list.

“Informed also that the suspect has admitted that his criminal syndicate orchestrated and carried out numerous kidnappings in the FCT and its surrounding areas, including the abduction of Barrister Chris Agidy and Mr. Sunday Yahaya Zakwai, the District Head of Ketti Village.

Disturbed that the gravity of this situation has only been compounded by the revelation of Barrister Agidy and others’ untimely demise at the hands of these abductors, and their remains recovered and deposited at the Gwagwalada Teaching Hospital mortuary for medical assessment.

“Cognizant of the police force efforts who displayed unwavering dedication and determination in pursuing the kidnappers: the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun; the FCT Commissioner of Police, Benneth C. Igweh, who personally led the team into the forest in search of the bodies; CSP Mustafa, the Officer in Charge of Anti-Kidnapping; and CSP Victor, the Divisional Police Officer of Utako, along with other courageous police officers.”