President Bola Tinubu has received plaudits from notable South-South leader Chief Edwin Clark, a former Federal Commissioner for Information, for the successful recovery of 20 medical students and eight corps members who were kidnapped and kept captive. While going along the Otukpo-Enugu Road in Benue State, the medical students were kidnapped, and the corps members from Akwa Ibom State had been detained for a year. An important turning point in the Tinubu administration’s fight against insecurity in Nigeria has been reached with their release.CONTINUE FULL READING>>>>>
In a report by Vanguard, Clark lauded the rescue operation, which he described as a major victory for the current administration. He specifically commended the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, and the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, along with all others involved in the successful mission. In his statement issued in Abuja, Clark expressed hope that similar rescue operations could be effectively carried out across the country to address the widespread issue of kidnapping, especially in regions like the North East, North West, North Central, South East, South West, and South South.
However, Clark also called on state governors and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) to take more proactive roles in ensuring the security of their regions. He argued that relying solely on the President for security is inadequate and that governors should be more involved, especially since they often utilize security forces to suppress political opponents. He criticized the common excuse made by governors that they lack control over security agencies, suggesting that this is a weak justification given their frequent use of these forces for political purposes.
While reflecting on a previous kidnapping incident in Kaduna, where several victims, including a medical doctor, were killed, Clark highlighted the apparent helplessness of security forces at the time. He questioned why the security agencies were unable to act decisively despite knowing the locations of the bandits. The incident, he suggested, underscored a troubling lack of effective response from authorities when it was most needed.
Clark also pointed to the involvement of figures like Dr. Gumi in negotiating the release of other kidnapping victims, where large ransoms were paid to the bandits. He expressed concern over the fact that security forces, including the military, seemed powerless in these situations, despite having information about the bandits’ whereabouts. This, he argued, raises serious questions about the effectiveness and resolve of the security apparatus in dealing with such threats.He urged for a more comprehensive and coordinated approach to security, one that involves all levels of government and effectively addresses the root causes of insecurity across the country.
According to him, “In order to free the remaining victims abducted, Dr. Gumi and others were largely involved. Huge sum of money were paid as ransom to the bandits. The security forces, including the military, seemed helpless.”CONTINUE FULL READING>>>>>
