…Tinubu, Oyebanji condemn killings, order rescue of kidnapped victims

…Atiku calls for stronger leadership, mocks Tinubu as tourist-in-chief

…As Senate summons Security Chiefs

By Praise Oguntan, Grace Olatundun and our correspondents

As the security situation in Nigeria continues to deteriorate, there have been increasing calls for State Policing.

According to the Nigerian 1999 constitution, security is itemised as the sole jurisdiction of the Federal Government.

Although, in a bid to tackle insecurity, state governments and volunteer groups have over the years devised a means to create security outfits with limited scope to guarantee the safety of their constituents.

The most prominent and functional which has gained widespread applause is the Western Nigeria Security network (WNSN), codenamed Amotekun established by the state government of the six South-West states.

However, with the rising spate of kidnappings and extra-judicial killings in the region, the Governor of Oyo state, ‘Seyi Makinde, has, again, called for the establishment of state police, noting that it has become imperative to surmount the insecurity challenges facing different parts of the country.

The Governor, who maintained that the refusal of the Federal Government to approve South-West Governors’ demand to establish state police a few years ago led to the establishment of the Western Nigeria Security Network Agency codenamed Amotekun, said it is important for the Federal Government to revisit the matter.

Makinde stated this on Tuesday, when he received the Conference of Speakers of State Legislators, South-West Chapter, led by its chairman and Speaker of Ekiti State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Adeoye Aribasoye.

The speakers paid a courtesy visit to the governor in his office in Ibadan, where he appreciated them for their condolences and words of support over the January 16 explosion in Bodija, Ibadan.

The governor maintained that there is a need for collaboration and cooperation between the executive arm of government and the legislators to deliver dividends of democracy and bring development to the people.

The governor said, “I want to observe that you need to all come together irrespective of the political party that brought you into office. This is a demonstration that the electioneering period is over and you need to have everybody pulling together to govern and deliver dividends of democracy to our people.”

While speaking on the security challenges in the country, Governor Makinde maintained that the establishment of state police is an idea whose time has come and that the fears in some quarters that states would not be able to maintain state police are unfounded.

He cited the example of Oyo State where the payment of salaries and pensions has never been an issue despite the economic challenges in the country.

Makinde said, “A lot of people may not know that before we launched Amotekun in this state, some of us governors went to the Federal Government and we asked to be allowed to set up state police for our various states but we did not get that approval during the time of President Muhammadu Buhari.

“I disagreed at that particular time and still disagree to date that the states are not in the position to maintain state police. I have never seen where the Federal Government went to a particular state and gave the police everything they needed. So, the states are already maintaining the police.”

Makinde said that the police are on the exclusive list, but if that responsibility is split and states have to run their police system, they should have access to resources from the federation account to meet the responsibility of maintaining the police.

“So, the issue of being unable to maintain state police will not arise again. Give us the responsibility first and see if certain states will be able to maintain it or not.

“But since we could not get state police, we settled for Amotekun. All the State Assemblies in the South West passed a common law for its establishment. So, we have to be pushing for state police, and you lawmakers have a role to play to make that a reality.”

…Tinubu, Oyebanji condemn killings, order rescue of kidnapped victims

President Tinubu and the Ekiti state Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji have condemned the death of two traditional rulers in Ekiti State and the abduction of students, teachers, and a driver in the Emure-Ekiti area of the state.

The President, according to a release issued on Tuesday by his Media Adviser, Ajuri Ngelale, condemned this mindless and brutal bloodletting, and pledged that the perpetrators will not escape justice.

President Tinubu condoled with the families and subjects of the traditional rulers, Governor Biodun Oyebanji, and the people of Ekiti State on this deeply agonising development.

In the same vein, the President has directed the immediate rescue of pupils and teachers kidnapped around the Eporo-Ekiti area of the State.

Confirming the abduction in a statement on Tuesday, Governor of Ekiti State, Biodun Oyebanji vowed to ensure the victims are rescued.

The statement reads, “The Ekiti State Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji has urged the citizens of the state not to despair over Monday’s kidnapping of some school pupils and their teachers in Emure- Ekiti, assuring that efforts are on to get the children and their teachers rescued.”

It quoted Governor Biodun Oyebanji as describing the kidnap as callous, and unacceptable, saying nothing would be spared in the efforts to rescue them.

The Ekiti Government said, “Security agencies in the state are already on the trail of the abductors with a mandate to bring the pupils and their teachers back safely.

“Governor Oyebanji said security is being stepped up across the state to flush out criminal elements from their hideouts,” it added.

“While calling on the citizens to remain calm and vigilant, he urged them to cooperate with security agencies, by making available relevant information to the authorities.”

…Atiku calls for stronger leadership, mocks Tinubu as tourist-in-chief

Reacting to the recent incidents of kidnapping and terrorism, Former Vice President of Nigeria and Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the last general elections, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar in a tweet that reverberated across social media has delivered a scathing critique of the Tinubu’s administration handling of the nation’s security crisis.

The Former Vice President’s tweet, which was posted amidst growing concerns over escalating insecurity, condemned what he described as the government’s lackluster response to recent tragic events. The former Vice President expressed shock and dismay at the apparent disconnect between the leadership and the dire security situation on the ground.

“Tinubu is playing fiddle while Nigeria is drowning in the ocean of insecurity,” Abubakar’s tweet began, capturing the gravity of the situation and invoking imagery of “neglect and indifference at the highest levels of government.”

The tweet specifically referenced the heart-wrenching incident in Abuja, where kidnappers reportedly murdered a nursing mother and grandmother after a failed ransom payment of N90 million. Additionally, Abubakar highlighted the killings of two monarchs in Ekiti state, underscoring the prevalence of violence and lawlessness in various parts of the country.

Drawing attention to the absence of the Commander-in-Chief during these critical moments, Abubakar criticized the timing of what he termed a “so-called private visit,” suggesting that the priorities of the leadership are misplaced amidst the ongoing security challenges.

In a poignant call to action, Abubakar asserted that if the current leadership feels overwhelmed by the magnitude of the task at hand, they should be willing to step aside for more capable hands.

The former VP emphasised that Nigeria cannot afford to have a “Tourist-in-Chief” at a time when decisive 24/7 leadership is needed to address the pervasive insecurity and the collapsing economy.

Abubakar’s remarks echo the sentiments of many Nigerians who have grown increasingly frustrated with the government’s response to the security crisis, with calls mounting for urgent and effective measures to restore peace and stability across the nation.

…Senate summons Security Chiefs

Also, the Nigerian Senate has summoned to appear before it the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa; the Chief of Army Staff, Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja; the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla; the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar; and the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, the Director General of the National Intelligence Agency, Ahmed Rufai Abubakar; the Director General of the Department of State Services, Yusuf Bichi; and the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu.

The resolution of the Senate was a sequel to a motion titled “Spate of Insecurity in Nigeria,” which was sponsored by the entire 107 senators and was discussed during an executive session.

According to the Senate, after brainstorming with the security chiefs, the report would be presented to President Bola Tinubu for further action, just as it stressed that they must appear against the backdrop that security is everybody’s business, and without security, Nigeria as a country cannot make progress.

After a closed-door session on Monday, the Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele read out the resolutions of the 109 Senators.

He said, “The Senate notes with sadness the rising spate of killings, kidnappings, banditry, and other criminal activities in the nation.

“The Senate further notes the recent killings in the Agata local government area of Benue State, which led to the loss of lives, including security personnel, and the desire for the destruction of properties, as well as the brutal killings of eleven residents of the Logo local government area of Benue State.”

According to the Senate leader, “The Senate equally notes the various kidnappings in the Federal Capital Territory where victims have been killed after collecting ransom.

“Senate is also aware of several cases of kidnappings all over the country where a huge ransom had been paid and several of the victims still got killed.

“Senate is also aware that the recent killings of two traditional rulers in Ekiti State and the abduction of primary school pupils in Ekiti have further aggravated the level of insecurity in the country.

“Senate notes the unfortunate bomb explosion at Bodija in Ibadan, Oyo State, where no less than five lives were lost and several residential houses, schools, hotels, and religious centres were destroyed.

“The Senate equally notes the killing of several residents of Mangu, Bokkos, and Barkin Ladi communities in Plateau State.”

In his remarks, the President of the Senate, Senator Akpabio, said that as lawmakers, they have a responsibility to collaborate with the executive and contribute their ideas to ensure that those in their constituencies and themselves, including their children, can sleep with their two eyes closed.

Akpabio said, “After the interactive session with the security chiefs, which we agreed that it should be next week, we would also fix a time to discuss the outcome with Mr President.

“We have a responsibility to collaborate with the executive and contribute our ideas to ensure that our constituents and ourselves, including our children, can sleep with their two eyes closed.

“Security is everybody’s business, and without security, we cannot make progress.

“We are very determined to make laws and pass resolutions aimed at ensuring the rapid progress of the country and the immediate improvement of the Nigerian economy.

“This will not be possible without a secured nation. We will take this up with Mr. President after interaction with security chiefs.”

…Presidency replies Atiku, says Tinubu working hard to restore peace

Responding to the Former VP, Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information & Strategy has stated the President is working hard to restore peace in Nigeria.

In a statement on Tuesday night, the Presidential aide said, “Alhaji Atiku Abubakar’s statement accusing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of fiddling amidst some security and economic challenges is to say the least, reckless.

“Coming days after he made an equally reckless allegation against the President on the crude for loan deal for NNPC Limited, his latest statement fell short of what is expected from an elder statesman.

“We like to believe that Alhaji Atiku is still not nursing hangover of his electoral defeat and now latches on any issue to attack President Tinubu.

“President Tinubu did not travel without informing Nigerians of his whereabouts. He announced a private visit to France and announced a return date.

“While in France, President Tinubu has been following developments at home and he is on top of the situation in the country. Today’s inauguration of the Tripartite Committee on National Minimum wage bore his imprimatur.

“He is in constant touch with his officials and security chiefs and has directed them to stamp out every form of criminality in the country.

“He has particularly ordered them to apprehend those criminals responsible for the murder of two monarchs in Ekiti State and the kidnapping of some pupils in the state.

“We are already seeing results with the arrest of over 139 kidnappers around Abuja, Kaduna and Benue States in the last one week. The police Special Intervention Squad (SIS) and DSS have also rescued 154 abducted persons in the last few days.

“Just last week President Tinubu approved N50 billion as Special Fund to address some of the lingering security challenges in the North East where Alhaji Atiku hails from. To cope with the kidnapping challenges in the FCT, President Tinubu also approved funds for the acquisition of equipment to track criminals.

“If Alhaji Atiku is really concerned about security issues and not playing cheap politics, he should have known that President Tinubu is on top of issues and working hard to restore peace to every part of our country.

“Our security agencies are working very hard to bring the security situation under control. President Tinubu is giving them all the necessary support they need to win the battle against criminal elements and secure every inch of our country,” the statement read.