On Wednesday, the Senate invited the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, and the Commissioner of Police, Benneth Igwe, to appear before it in light of the recent wave of kidnappings in the territory.
The Senate summoned both Wike and the FCT Police Commissioner in response to the adoption of prayers contained in a motion sponsored by Senator Ned Nwoko (PDP, Delta North) regarding the kidnapping and killing of his Senior Legislative Aide (SLA), Barrister Chris Agidy, in Abuja’s Galadimawa District last year.
Other petitions adopted by the Senate following extensive debate on the resolution by Senators were that the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, quickly enhance security patrols and surveillance in Abuja and across the country as proactive steps against kidnappings.
That the IGP ensure the installation of CCTV cameras in critical positions along Abuja’s highways, and that the police establish a three-digit emergency hotline for effective emergency response.
The Senate also resolved that the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) promptly provide the availability of dedicated emergency numbers for police, ambulance, and fire service crises in order to improve the speed with which security and public safety situations are responded to.
According to Senate President Godswill Akpabio, the FCT Minister and Police Commissioner will meet with the Senate in a closed-door session on a date to be given to them in a letter of summons to be forwarded to them by the Senate Clerk, Chinedu Akubueze.
“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, measures and strategies being put in place to stem the ugly tide of kidnappings in FCT.
“Incidences like kidnapping and killing of SLA of Senator Nwoko and some residents of FCT, are worrisome and must be stopped not only in FCT but in Nigeria generally,” Akpabio said.
The late Barrister Chris Agidy was kidnapped along with 19 others in Galadimawa in November 2023.