In response to the kidnapping and murder of Chris Agidy, a legislative assistant to Senator Ned Nwoko, by gruesome kidnappers, the Senate called for the Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike, and the Commissioner of Police, Benneth Igwe, on Wednesday.
The FCT Minister and the police commissioner were ordered by the Senate to brief the Red Chamber on the rising number of kidnapping incidents in Nigeria’s capital city.
The Senate resolution on the abduction and murder of Senator Nwoko’s Senior Legislative Aide, Agidy, was introduced after the senator’s motion.
It is stated that in November 2023, Agidy and nineteen other people were abducted from the Galadimawa neighborhood of Abuja.
After a lengthy discussion on Nwoko’s motion, the Senate also decided that, as a preventative precaution against kidnappings, Inspector General of Police Kayode Egbetokun should immediately boost security patrols and surveillance throughout Abuja and the country.
The lawmakers additionally instructed the Nigerian Communications Commission to promptly guarantee the operation of specific emergency lines for law enforcement, emergency medical services, and fire departments in order to expedite prompt resolution of security and public safety emergencies.
The FCT Minister and the CP were to convene in a closed-door meeting with the Senate on a date to be specified in a summons letter that would be sent to them by the Senate Clerk, Chinedu Akubueze, according to Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
The Senate further mandated that CCTV cameras be installed in key spots on and near Abuja roadways, and that the police designate a three-digit emergency number in order to facilitate efficient emergency response.
Akpabio said, “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 the FCT.
“Incidences like kidnapping and killing of SLA of Senator Nwoko and some residents of FC are worrisome and must be stopped not only in the FCT but also in Nigeria generally,” he added.