The Senate has agreed that the police and other military formations are challenged by lack of funds and manpower which is seriously making it impossible to curb the ugly incessant cases of kidnapping along the Abuja-Kaduna Highway.
There are several reported cases of kidnapping and other heinous crimes on the major highways and the ugly incidents have caused security breach which the police and other military personnel are yet to contain.
To this end, Senate said yesterday during plenary that the situation is propelling an embarrassment to the national security system and urged the police to double its effort immediately.
The lawmakers said the lives and property of the citizenry are no longer protected because, according to them, the kidnappers target and capture persons, both the rich and poor, against their will and hold them in false imprisonment.
The position of the senate came yesterday through a motion on order 43 of the Senate rules moved by Senate Leader Ahmad Lawan who notified the legislators that the incessant kidnap activities on the Abuja-Kaduna highway was worrisome.
“The incessant kidnapping on this road is worrisome and the Senate and House of Representatives committees on police affairs met with the Inspector General of police on the need to ensure that the situation is arrested.
“The IG explained that 600 personnel and 90 operational vehicles were donated to joint military operatives. The IG raised issues of lack of funds and manpower and urged the federal government and National Assembly to render financial assistance,” Lawan stated.
Consequently, the Senate however said it will consider and accelerate the passage of the National Police Trust Fund to ensure adequate funding and make the country safer.
The Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu said despite sympathise with the police over the challenges faced by the force, there is urgent need to improve its security measures.
“We sympathise with the police on lack of funds and manpower but the kidnapping situation is bringing us a lot of embarrassment and this is not good for our country. The police should double their effort in ensuring that lives and property are protected,” he stated.
LEADERSHIP
