President raises red alert over rising banditry, kidnapping

There was a raft of security meetings yesterday, following the spike in kidnapping and banditry in the last few weeks.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu summoned the Service chiefs to an emergency meeting in Abuja.

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, met with heads of security agencies, as well as chairmen of the six area councils.

Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, also met with the force management team and tactical squads.

Although no statement was issued after the top-level security meeting at the Villa, it was learnt that after a review of the situation, the President gave marching orders to the bigwigs.

“Things will look in a positive direction henceforth,” a top government official said last night.

There was outrage over the killing of Nabeeha Al-Kadriyar, who was kidnapped at the Bwari Area of the FCT.

She was abducted along with her father, a senior official of the National Population Commission (NPC), Alhaji Mansoor, and five sisters from Sagwari Layout on January 2.

Read Also: We’ll embark on massive education effort to combat insecurity – Tinubu
The wife of a lawyer, Mr. Oladosu Folorunso Ariyo, and their four children were also kidnapped.

One of the children, 13-year-old Michelle, was killed by the abductors, who demanded N700million ransom after initially asking for N60million.

On Christmas Eve last year, almost 200 people were killed during attacks on communities in Bokkos and Barkin Ladi Local Government Areas of Plateau State, throwing the country into mourning.

At the meeting with President Tinubu were heads of security and law enforcement agencies.

Also present were Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar; Wike and Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle.

Others were the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa; the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Taoreed Lagbaja; the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogala; the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Hassan Abubakar; and Egbetokun.

Director General of the Department of State Service, Yusuf Bichi; Director General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Ahmed Rufa’i Abubakar also attended the meeting.

President Tinubu, at different fora yesterday, condemned the escalating security situation.

Speaking at the presentation of the books: “Working with Buhari (2015 – 2023)” written by former presidential spokesman Femi Adesina, and “Muhammadu Buhari: The Nigerian Legacy, 2015 – 2023 (Vols 1-5)” edited by Dr Udu Yakubu, President Tinubu vowed to stamp out remnants of Boko Haram, bandits and kidnappers in the country.

President Tinubu said: “President Buhari assumed office at a very difficult period of our national life when the economy was spiralling into recession and Boko Haram had taken over swaths of our territory in North East.

“At a point, it appeared even Abuja, the seat of government would fall into the hands of Boko Haram with the bombing of the UN Building, Banex Plaza, Nyanya and other locations within the Federal Capital Territory.

“We cannot easily forget how our Armed Forces battled the Boko Haram terrorists under the leadership of President Buhari to reclaim our territory and push them to the fringes of Lake Chad where they no longer pose an existential threat to our sovereignty.

“I must say the job of securing every inch of our country is yet to be finished.

“My government will stamp out the remaining vestiges of Boko Haram, Ansaru, banditry and kidnapping gangs. We won’t rest until every agent of darkness is completely rooted out.”

The President said the battle will be backed by a massive education of the youth population.

Speaking when he received a delegation of Jam’iyyatu Ansaridden, an Islamic Movement, at the State House, in Abuja, the President described the recent spate of kidnappings and bandit attacks as disturbing, sinister and ungodly.

According to a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, the President said security agencies were addressing the security challenges.

President Tinubu said: “There is no weapon against poverty that is as potent as learning.

“I can assure you that we are here to change the lives of our people. We are here to promote peace, stability, and economic prosperity.

“We are dedicated to building a lasting peace with a focus on the comprehensive education of our children.

“We will get our teachers and their owners involved in an education process that will be relevant to the future of this country. It is important.

“Knowledge brought me here with your prayers and your support. Without knowledge, there is nothing to generate hope for mankind.”

Urging the movement to sensitise the youths, the president added: “Please embark on special prayers. Embark on proper education for our youths.

“Kidnapping and banditry are not the way of God.

“Shedding each other’s blood is bad. And there can be no development without peace.

“It is only in the era of peace that we can eliminate poverty. We must work for peace for our economy to grow better.”

The Jam’iyyatu Ansaridden leader, Sheikh Muhammad Lamine Niass, urged the President to continue implementing his reform initiatives.

Wike to FCT residents: don’t panic
Wike, who addressed reporters after the security meeting, urged FCT residents not to panic.

He said: “Our concern is that for the FCT that has virtually every Nigerian, we owe a duty to make this place safe. We assure Nigerians who reside here that there is no need for panic.

“We are taking every step to resolve these challenges. This meeting was to see how we can resolve the problems.

“That is why we invited all the council chairmen because they also have a responsibility in their various area councils.

“So, we will put our heads together and come up with solutions. We are not sleeping, security agencies are also not sleeping.

“We will provide every support that they require to allay the fears of the citizens.”

He warned the area council chairmen against abdicating their duties.

IGP deploys tactical squads
Egbetokun said the police would deal decisively with the situation.

A statement by the Force spokesman, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, an Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP), said: “During the meeting which centred on a comprehensive review of current security challenges, strategic planning, and the deployment of tactical resources to tackle emerging threats, the IGP emphasised the need for a coordinated and intelligence-driven approach to address the evolving security landscape.

“Tactical squads were briefed and directed to intensify efforts on the deployment of proactive measures to prevent criminal activities and protect citizens.

“While reassuring Nigerians, especially residents of the FCT, of improved security, the IGP ordered the Deputy Inspector-General of Police, Department of Operations, to personally coordinate the upscaled security strategies emplaced to decimate kidnappers and other criminally minded individuals in the FCT, and immediately restore normalcy.

“In addition to operational strategies, the IGP underscored the significance of community engagement and collaboration with relevant stakeholders to gather information, enhance trust, and foster a collective effort in combating criminal elements.”

Father of kidnapped kids appeal to NBA
Also yesterday, Ariyo appealed to his professional colleagues to help save his wife and children.

Oladosu raised N7 million through families, friends and associates but the sum was rejected by the criminal gang.

In a social media post, he stated: “Dear learned silks, seniors & colleagues, most respectfully, I’m Oladosu Folorunso Ariyo, a lawyer working in Abuja.

“On Sunday evening the 7th of January 2024, around 7:30 pm, a band of kidnappers dressed in full military camon invaded my home located at Sagwari Layout Estate in Dutse, Abuja.

“They kidnapped my wife (who is also a lawyer) and our four children.

“The kidnappers called and demanded 60 million ransom out of which through generous donations of friends and family, I’ve been able to raise the sum of N7 million which they have vehemently refused to collect.

“They’ve killed my first born Michelle Ariyo (age 13) and dumped her corpse on Kaduna road while threatening to kill my three remaining children (who are all minors) and wife who are still in captivity.

“Please and please sir, I urgently need the intervention of the NBA (Nigerian Bar Association).”