Senate Urges FG to Rescue Abducted Victims, Protect Vulnerable Communities

The Senate has called on the Federal Government and security agencies to intensify operations to rescue Nigerians held captive by kidnappers and protect vulnerable communities across the country.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio made the call on Tuesday as the upper chamber resumed plenary after its annual recess, which began on July 23.

Akpabio said the Senate would use legislation, appropriation and oversight to address insecurity and other challenges confronting Nigerians.

He urged security agencies to intensify operations aimed at rescuing abducted citizens while taking stronger measures to protect communities exposed to security threats.

The Senate President said the chamber would review existing measures and consider additional legislative and budgetary interventions to strengthen the response to insecurity.

He said the continued captivity of Nigerians remained a matter of national concern, stressing that government institutions had a responsibility to protect citizens from security threats.

“So long as a single Nigerian languishes in captivity, a part of Nigeria is itself captive, and this chamber cannot call itself free of the burden,” Akpabio said.

He said citizens should not be left to face security threats alone after being encouraged to remain in their communities.

Akpabio added that protecting lives remained a responsibility of the state and particularly the National Assembly through its constitutional duties.

“We cannot summon citizens to courage and then leave them to face danger alone. Their safety is a charge laid upon us and upon every institution of government, particularly this Nigerian Senate,” he said.

He said the Senate could not resume from recess without addressing the worsening security challenges facing citizens, noting that the suspension of plenary had not stopped the difficulties confronting Nigerians.

The Senate President said government’s response to abductions should go beyond expressing sympathy for victims and their families.

“Sympathies alone cannot discharge our duties. They are entitled to our attention, our resolve and the full force of our constitutional responsibilities,” he said.

Akpabio said the Senate would continue to use its constitutional responsibilities to support measures aimed at creating safer communities and improving the security of Nigerians.