Insecurity: Reps charge FG with securing immediate release of kidnapped victims

Insecurity: Reps charge FG with securing immediate release of kidnapped victims

By Onome Naomi

On Thursday, the House of Representatives urged President Muhammadu Buhari to intensify efforts to secure the release of 51 Nigerians kidnapped in the Abuja-Kaduna train attack, as well as other Nigerians held captive by bandits and terrorists across the country.

The House also recommended that the Federal Government create a high-powered inter-agency panel as soon as possible to coordinate efforts and ensure the release of kidnapped victims in the country, with the goal of assisting the affected families.

Bamidele Salam (PDP Osun), Julius Ihonvere (APC Edo), Mansur Manu Soro (APC Bauchi), and seven others proposed the motion after victims of bandits and terrorists were held in various parts of the country.

Citizens would lose faith in the government of the day, according to lawmakers, if nothing was done to secure the victims held in captivity across the country.

The lawmakers expressed concern that the situation might embolden criminals and groups to commit more crimes.

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According to Bamidele Salam, there are still unresolved kidnapping cases in the country, including the remaining Chibok girls kidnapped in 2014, Leah Sharibu in February 2018, Islamiyya School students kidnapped in Niger State on 30 May 2021, Bethel Baptist High School Kaduna students kidnapped on July 5, 2021, and students of Federal Government College Birnin Yauri kidnapped on 21 October 2021.