Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) leader, Edwin Clark, has expressed his appreciation to President Bola Tinubu for the successful rescue of 20 medical students and eight National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members who were abducted by bandits in Benue State.
Reflecting on the recent rescue operation, the elder statesman remarked that the past weekend was filled with immense joy following the safe release of the students, who were en route to a conference in Enugu State.
He emphasized that the swift intervention to secure the release of these innocent individuals has provided great relief to their families and the nation as a whole.
Clark also referenced a recent analysis by Dr. Reuben Abati, who commended the President and security agencies for their efforts, with which Clark agreed wholeheartedly.
He expressed concern over the ongoing crisis of kidnapping and banditry in Nigeria, highlighting the severe impact on the nation’s economy and daily life, particularly in agricultural sectors where farmers now face increased threats.
Many, he noted, are too fearful to access their farms, leading to a decline in agricultural productivity.
Clark also pointed out the dangers of traveling through certain regions, such as Abuja to Kaduna, where individuals are no longer certain of their safety even during the day.
He lamented that the pervasive fear of abduction has made kidnapping a formidable threat to societal security, economic stability, and social interaction.
Recalling a tragic incident in Kaduna, Clark mentioned a medical doctor who was killed by kidnappers just days before she was to leave the country for further studies, highlighting the grave danger faced by citizens.
Clark praised the efforts of the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, and the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, along with all agencies involved in the rescue operation.
He urged that similar rescue strategies be applied across all regions of Nigeria, including the North East, North West, North Central, South East, South West, and South-South, to combat the rising insecurity in the country.
The elder statesman also called on state governors to take a more active role in ensuring the safety of their citizens, arguing that the excuse of not controlling the security forces in their states is unacceptable.
He suggested that governors have the capability to deploy these security agencies effectively for the purpose of ensuring security, as they often do to address political challenges in their states.
“The issue of security being left solely in the hands of the President is untenable,” Clark asserted, urging governors to rise to the occasion and prioritize the safety of their citizens.
