President Bola Tinubu has declared a nationwide security emergency, directing the military, police, and intelligence agencies to expand recruitment and deploy thousands of new personnel.

The President also asked the National Assembly to begin work on creating state police, as kidnappings and terrorist attacks continue to rise.

But several Senators and House members criticised the Federal Government for negotiating with bandits who abducted students in Kebbi and Niger States and church members in Kwara.

They demanded an end to the talks and called for punishment for the official who ordered the withdrawal of troops from a girls’ school in Kebbi shortly before dozens of students were kidnapped.

Recent attacks include the abduction of more than 300 pupils and teachers from a Catholic school in Niger State, the kidnapping of 24 students from a girls’ school in Kebbi, and the killing of two worshippers during an attack on a church in Kwara. Some victims escaped, and the rest were later freed.

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The wave of abductions has forced many schools across northern states to shut down, and the Federal Government has closed dozens of Federal Unity Colleges as a precaution.

Presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga defended the decision to negotiate, saying security forces avoided direct confrontation because the kidnappers were using hostages as human shields. He also denied that any ransom was paid.

Source: Punch