Kidnappings: Tinubu meets security chiefs

President Bola Tinubu is currently in a closed-door session with service chiefs at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Tinubu who departed Transcorp Hilton, where he had been attending a book launch, around 3pm, is currently meeting the service chiefs led by the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa.

Others attending the meeting include the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Taoreed Lagbaja, Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogala, Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Hassan Abubakar and the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun.

Heads of other security agencies are also at the meeting.

Tuesday’s meeting follows renewed cases of kidnapping across the nation.

Between Thursday and Sunday, January 7, 2024, no fewer than 85 persons, comprising both travellers and residents, were reported to be abducted by terrorists at Katari along the Kaduna – Abuja highway near Katari, in the Kachia Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

It was also gathered that more than four residents were killed by hoodlums.

The most recent of such cases is the reported kidnapping of six sisters alongside their father in Abuja on January 9, 2024.

It was gathered that the abductors later released their father, instructing him to raise N60m as ransom for the release of her daughters before Friday, January 12.

Nigerians were urged on X (formerly Twitter) to donate any amount into a designated bank account, but not enough money was gathered as of Friday.

Consequently, the hoodlums reportedly killed the oldest of the six girls, Najeebah, and dumped her body along the Abuja-Kaduna Road.

A former Minister for Communication and Digital Economy, Isa  Pantami, confirmed the killing of Najeebah on Saturday night.

Pantami said he had spoken with the father of Najeebah over the remaining kidnapped girls.

“Inna lil Laahi wa inna ilaiHi Raajiun! I just read about the killing of our daughter Najeeba (400 level, ABU).

“I also spoke with her father about the remaining 5 of our kidnapped daughters.

“May Allah forgive her, rescue others & bring absolute peace to Nigeria,” said the former minister on his X handle.

In a statement she personally signed on Monday, First Lady, Remi Tinubu, urged security agencies to intensify efforts in rescuing the remaining five sisters still held hostage.

“I implore our security agencies to intensify their efforts in addressing the pressing matter of kidnappings and insecurity in our nation. The safety and swift return of the Al-Kadriyar sisters and others in captivity should be our paramount concern,” she said.

The President alongside his security chiefs are  expected to review the current security situation and ways to tackle them.

Details later…

Punch