Kidnapping: Senate proffers technology solution

The Nigerian Senate has urged security agencies in the country to use surveillance equipments and communication gadgets to track down kidnappers across the country.

This was among other resolutions reached by the Senate on a point of order raised by Senator Dino Melaye, who cited Orders 42 and 52 and informed the Senate on the recent activities of kidnappers along lokoja-Abuja road.

“On the 24th of September, 2019 kidnappers killed 8 people and 18 were kidnapped. We need to call on our security operatives to save Nigerians. We as a Senate stand to protect lives and properties,” Melaye said.

Contributing to the motion, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe said, “Let us not do normal things, let us think outside the box. I am aware that kidnapping is not just lokoja-Abuja. We are in a difficult situation and we sympathize with the relatives of the victims”.


In his contribution, Senator Danjuma Goje said “Abuja is not safe, the small villages are not also safe. This motion is very important and very timely. My question is; why can’t we trace the kidnappers using technology? We should look for ways to combat this menace”.

According to Senate President Ahmad Lawan, “We need to do something differently; we need to go back to that report of Ad-hoc Committee; we cannot go on like this. We need to give security agencies some more funds but insist on accountability. We must see how they utilize money.

“We must also insist uniform people must not join the train. They should allow the ordinary people to use the train.”

The Senate then resolved to urge security agencies to adequately secure the Lokoja-Abuja express way and other roads in the country; and called on the IG of Police to intensify efforts in protecting the lives and properties of every Nigerian;

The Senate also urged the security agencies to use surveillance equipments and communication gadgets to track down these evil perpetrators of these acts;

“That the Nigerian immigration services and other relevant agencies should step up the monitoring of our borders to curb  the inflow of immigrants;

“National Assembly should make adequate provision for the purchase of security equipment for security agencies;

“The Senate should come up with stringent anti-kidnapping legislation that will curb this menace; and

“The recommendation of the Ad-hoc Committee report on security should be implemented,” the Senate resolved.

Senator  Lawan, conclusively stated that, “Time has come for our security operatives to go technological; Technology like drones should be deployed to enhance the efficacy of their operations. We should continue to look at the restructuring of security architecture . We need to look into more funding for our security agencies and insist on transparency and accountability.”