Senate President Godswill Akpabio has called on security agencies to increase efforts to rescue Nigerians being held captive by armed groups and protect vulnerable communities. He made this statement while addressing senators on the resumption of plenary, amid recent abductions in Niger and Zamfara states. More than 80 people, mostly women, were reportedly kidnapped in separate attacks on rural communities. Akpabio emphasized that the country cannot consider itself free while citizens remain in captivity.
Recent incidents in Niger and Zamfara states have highlighted the need for stronger action by security agencies and greater attention from government institutions. In Niger State, at least 47 farmers were abducted on Saturday while harvesting groundnuts in Rimi community, Mariga Local Government Area. Most of the victims were said to be women, according to security reports and local sources. Akpabio stressed that the Senate would use legislation, appropriation, and oversight to examine additional measures needed to tackle insecurity and protect vulnerable communities.
Akpabio stated that Nigerians affected by abductions and violence deserved more than expressions of sympathy from the government. He emphasized that sympathies alone cannot discharge their duties and that they are entitled to attention, resolve, and the full force of constitutional responsibilities. The Senate President urged security agencies to pursue the rescue of captives and the protection of vulnerable communities with renewed vigor.
Akpabio also expressed concern over the impact of flooding on communities, farmers, and families across the country. He called for improved preparedness and timely intervention, stating that a warning must lead to preparation, preparation must lead to protection, and relief must reach the people for whom it is intended. According to him, the effects of flooding extend beyond the immediate destruction of homes and property.
The loss of farmland due to flooding could further threaten food security, Akpabio said. He noted that when a farmer loses his harvest, the country loses food it can ill afford to spare. When a family loses its home, the nation has a stake in helping that family rise again. This highlights the need for a comprehensive approach to address the impact of flooding on communities.
Akpabio acknowledged the economic pressure facing Nigerians, stating that lawmakers must carefully examine economic figures and reforms while remaining conscious of the impact of the cost-of-living crisis on households and young people. He cited mothers struggling with the cost of meals and graduates searching for employment as examples of the realities Nigerians face outside the National Assembly.
With Nigeria preparing to mark 66 years of independence, Akpabio urged Nigerians to reflect on the sacrifices of those who fought for self-government and to work towards a stronger country for future generations. He emphasized that patriotism requires clear eyes and a steadfast heart, clear eyes to see difficulties, courage to confront them, and steadfastness to overcome them.
Key points
- Akpabio charges security agencies to intensify efforts to rescue Nigerians held captive by armed groups.
- The Senate President emphasizes the need for stronger action by security agencies and greater attention from government institutions to tackle insecurity.
- Akpabio urges Nigerians to reflect on the sacrifices of those who fought for self-government and work towards a stronger country for future generations.
