The Senate, on Wednesday, summoned the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and the Commissioner of Police, Benneth Igwe, over the murder of Chris Agidy, an aide to Senator Ned Nwoko, by some kidnappers.
The Senate resolved that the FCT Minister and the police commissioner should appear to brief the Red Chamber on the increasing cases of kidnapping in Nigeria’s capital city.
The Senate resolution followed a motion sponsored by Senator Nwoko on the kidnap and killing of his Senior Legislative Aide, Agidy.
Agidy was reportedly kidnapped along with 19 others in the Galadimawa area of Abuja in November 2023.
Following an exhaustive debate on Nwokolo’s motion, the Senate also resolved that the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, should urgently increase security patrols and surveillance within Abuja and across the nation as a proactive measure against kidnappings.
The Senate also directed the installation of CCTV cameras in strategic locations within and around Abuja highways, adding that the police should dedicate a three-digit emergency number for effective emergency response.
The legislators also directed the Nigerian Communications Commission to urgently ensure the functionality of dedicated emergency numbers for the police, ambulance service, and fire service to enhance swift response to security and public safety incidents.
The Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, further stated that both the FCT Minister and the CP were to meet the Senate in a closed-door session on a date to be written in a letter of summons to be forwarded to them by the Clerk of the Senate, Chinedu Akubueze.
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.
