ADC House Of Reps Candidate, Abidikugu Rejoices With Families Of Released Oriire Abductees, Urges Govt To Guide Against Re-Occurrence

0

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) House of Representatives Candidate for Ibadan South East/ North East Federal Constituency, Dr Kazeem Adesina Abidikugu, popularly known as KSO, has rejoiced with the families of released Oriire kidnapped teachers and pupils after more than 50 days in captivity.

He admonished the government to do everything possible to guard against the recurrence of such an event, noting that by now lessons must have been learnt and that the government should take the security of citizens very seriously, as stipulated in the country’s constitution.

Abidikugu, the Agba-Akin Bobajiro of Ibadanland, commended the gallantry efforts of the Joint Security operatives, saying the release of the victims unharmed is a sign that they are thorough professionals.

It could be recalled that the Federal Government on Friday announced the successful rescue of the Oriire Kidnap victims after their sojourn in the hands of the kidnappers for more than fifty days.

The government said eight kidnappers were arrested , while some others were neutralised during the rescue operations carried out by the Joint Security team.

Abidikugu, who is a philanthropist and United Kingdom-based psychiatric consultant, in a statement on Saturday said rescue operations by the Joint Security team are a testament to their capacity to rid the country of criminal elements.

He said the successful rescue of the victims, unharmed, deserves praise, but the situation should have been avoided if governments had taken proactive measures to adequately protect citizens and their property.

“This is not the right time to praise anybody. It is the fundamental duty of any responsible government to provide security and protection for all law-abiding citizens. Protection of lives and properties of the citizens is the primary duty of any government all over the world, and Nigeria should not be an exception”, Abidikugu said.

He urged the government to learn its lessons by now, saying it needs to rejig the security architecture in the country.

He lamented that it is a harsh reality that kids below ten years had to be in the forest, especially during the rainy season, for such a long period, but thanked the Almighty God for His Grace, which he said makes them return safely.

He said this is not the time for government to be self-praise, but according to him, a time for sober reflection on how we got to this level of insecurity in our land.

“We are used to a peaceful atmosphere. We used to travel safely even at night. We are used to sleep deeply with our two eyes closed. That is what we were as a country. The infiltration of criminal elements should be checked both by the government and the people”, he counselled.

He said the successful rescue operation is a clear signal that if the government is determined to protect its citizens, those who choose the path of kidnapping, banditry and other clandestine activities will be relentlessly pursued, apprehended or neutralised in accordance with the law,

Abidikugu commended the gallantry, professionalism and exceptional courage of the security agencies whose coordinated efforts made the successful operation possible.

He in particular praised the Armed Forces, the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services (DSS), local intelligence operatives and all other security personnel involved for their sacrifice and commitment to protecting innocent Nigerians.

He, however, called on the security agencies to replicate the successful operations carried out in Oriire that led to the release of the victims in other parts of the country, where he said some Nigerians are held hostage in Kidnappers’ dens.

Abidikugu said the National Assembly should work in conjunction with the Federal Executive Council to ensure the rejigging of the security architecture in the country.