From Okey Sampson, Umuahia
A security expert, Chikwe Udensi has urged President Bola Tinubu to direct the nation’s armed forces to put up new response measures to curb the escalating cases of kidnapping and banditry especially in the northern region.
Udensi who gave the task while speaking at a conference of Certified Security Experts of Nigeria, said this will ensure the rescue of all those held hostage.
Udensi said the approach would bear fruit should the nation’s service chiefs s
leave their cosy offices and relocate to the forests where the victims are kept.
“Time has come for the service chiefs to step out of their heavily air-conditioned offices and relocate to the forest and flush out bandits causing tension in the country.”
He said the constant meeting of President Bola Tinubu and the security chiefs in air-conditioned offices in Abuja have not been productive, insisting that they must roll up their sleeves and work for the peace and stability of the nation.
“The kidnapping cases are too numerous. Look at the 13 year-old girl kidnapped from Sagwari estate in Dutse Abuja, look at the youth corps members going from Akwa Ibom to Sokoto, they have not been found, look at the family of eight kidnapped from their home in Gwarimpa, they have not been found.
“Look at the 287 students kidnapped from their school in Kaduna, they have not still be found, and they are sitting in the comfort of their air-conditioned offices doing nothing. They should relocate to the forests and flush out these criminals so that we can have peace in our country”, he noted.
Udensi said since about 95 percent of kidnap victims are kept in the forests, the service chiefs should have no business staying in their offices, but should go after the kidnappers and rescue all hostages, as according to him, the forests are not impenetrable.