Kidnapping reducing in South East –COAS

From Ndubuisi Orji, Abuja

Chief of Army Staff, Major General Taoreed Lagbaja, has said the cases of kidnapping and other criminal activities in the South East geo- political zones are declining.

Lagbaja stated this yesterday, when he appeared before the House of Representatives Ad-hoc Committee to interface with the relevant security agencies on the spate of kidnapping, assassinations and banditry in Isuikwuato and Umunnochi Local Government Areas of Abia State.

He noted that the army is collaborating with the police and other security agencies to tackle the challenges of criminality in the South East.

Nevertheless, the COAS, who was represented by the Deputy Director, Operations, Army Headquarters, Brigadier General Gabriel Olufemi Esho, stated that there were cases of kidnapping and attacks by criminals suspected to be members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) in the zone, in July.

“Recently, efforts of the Nigerian Army, through its division, in conjunction with other security agencies, has diminished the threat of kidnapping.

This year, recorded cases of kidnapping and attacks by criminals suspected to be elements of the proscribed people of Biafra Eastern Security Network in these two local governments has reduced. Suffice to mention that the Nigerian police and other security agencies are also collaborating with us, but due to certain challenges, the bulk usually lies with the Nigerian army,” he stated.

The chairman of the Ad-hoc Committee, Obi Agocha, who stated this at the investigative hearing, said there was need for concerted efforts to tackle banditry, kidnapping and other forms of criminality in the South East.

Agocha stated that the security challenges in the zone require a multi-faceted approach as well as the collaboration of security agencies, community leaders and citizens, as no one entity can tackle the problem alone.

He said: “The challenges we face are not mere statistics or headlines; they are real-life manifestations that affect the lives of our people, disrupt the functioning of our institutions, and impede the growth of our region. Instances of criminal activities, banditry, kidnapping, assassinations, communal clashes, and threats to life have shaken the very foundation of our societies. As leaders and stakeholders, it is incumbent upon us to come together, transcending our differences, to find sustainable solutions that will quell these threats and pave the way for a brighter future.

“Our commitment to addressing this crisis is evident in our presence here, today. We recognise that insecurity cannot be combated by one entity alone; it requires a collective, multi-faceted approach that encompasses the perspectives and expertise of law enforcement agencies, community leaders, policymakers, scholars, and citizens.

“It requires a holistic approach that encompasses law enforcement, community engagement, socio-economic development, and effective engagement from governments. We must be prepared to tackle the issues at their core and work collaboratively to ensure solutions that would stand the test of time.

“The cross-border dynamics of the primary focus area brings additional complexity to the challenges of the task ahead. The common borders, shared with three other states, connect the primary focus area to Ebonyi State via Isiagu, Enugu State via Agwu, and Imo State via Okigwe.”