Nwoko recalled the recent kidnap of 19 persons including his aide in the Galadimawa area of the FCT.
The Senate has tasked the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, to revisit the $460 million spent by the federal government on closed-circuit televisions (CCTV) project in Abuja.
This is as it mandated its committee on Army and Police Affairs to launch an investigation into the issue of kidnapping..
It also called for the cooperation of the security agencies to install CCTV cameras in various stations in FCT.
These resolutions followed the adoption of a raised by Senator Ned Nwoko (APC, Delta North) at Wednesday’s plenary.
Nwoko expressed concern over 19 individuals including his Senior Legislative Aide, Barrister Chris Agidy, were abducted, adding that 12 among them are presumed to have lost their lives while 7 others are still held captive.
“It is with profound concern and heavy hearts that we address the recent kidnapping incident in Galadimawa, Abuja, involving multiple individuals, including my Senior Legislative Aide, Barrister Chris Agidy.
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“Approximately two weeks ago, a distressing incident unfolded where 19 individuals were forcefully taken from their homes in Galadimawa area of Abuja. Upon receiving this distressing news, immediate measures were taken. I contacted the Commissioner of Police who swiftly activated the OC Anti-Kidnapping team to secure the release of those abducted.
“Regrettably, we have received distressing updates from reliable police sources confirming that out of the 19 individuals abducted, 12 have been killed while seven remain in the custody of the kidnappers. Efforts to ascertain the well-being and status of our staff, Barrister Chris, among the 7 individuals still held, are ongoing.
“According to the security operatives, efforts are still focused on rescuing the remaining individuals held captive from the forested area approximately 100 km away, despite the daunting challenges faced in reaching the kidnappers,” he added.
In his contribution, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe (PDP, Abia South) noted that so many citizens are running away from their homes due to fear of insecurity in the country.
He recalled that in 2010, a project was awarded to ZTE Corporation, a Chinese firm to install CCTVs in strategic areas in the FCT.
According to him, the contract involved a payment of 15 percent by the federal government and 85 percent by the Chinese EXIM Bank to be repaid within 10 years at prevailing interest rates.
