The Lawmaker representing Kaduna North Federal Constituency, Mohammed El-Rufai, has called for urgent national attention over the surge in abduction cases as he decried poor reporting of some kidnap incidents across the country.
El-Rufai maintained that there are several incidents of mass abduction, like the kidnap of 42 pupils in Borno State, that have not made news like other cases such as the Oyo mass abduction.
The son of former Kaduna governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, made this known in a statement issued on his official X handle on Wednesday.
He noted that several other cases remain unreported and less publicised.
“I write with deep concern over the alarming and unacceptable rise in kidnappings and mass abductions across the country.
“These repeated attacks on innocent citizens demand urgent national attention and a coordinated, intelligence-driven security response.
“There are several incidents that have not made the news, even as a number of other cases have recently received public attention, including the abduction of the sister of the former Minister of Power, Mr. Adelabu, and her two children; the abduction of seven students of the Federal Polytechnic, Kaura Namoda, Zamfara State; as well as attacks in Oyo State reportedly resulting in the abduction of 39 students and teachers in the Ahoro Esinele community, Oriire Local Government Area.
“In Borno State, 42 pupils from Mussa community in Askira Uba LGA were also reportedly abducted.
“Collectively, these reported incidents amount to over 90 abducted persons, in addition to several other unreported or less publicized cases across the country.” El-Rufai said.
The lawmaker harped on the need to evenly report all abduction incidents while demanding strengthened intelligence coordination and improved proactive prevention.
“Behind every number is a human life. Behind every statistic is a family in distress and a community living in fear.
“While we acknowledge and commend the efforts of our security agencies, the persistence of these attacks makes it clear that we must urgently strengthen intelligence coordination, improve proactive prevention, and enhance rapid response capacity across all levels.” He said.
El-Rufai also called for immediate rescue of all the abducted persons, stressing that mass abductions must not be normalised.
“I therefore call for immediate and sustained rescue operations to ensure the safe return of all abducted persons, and for a more decisive national strategy to prevent further occurrences.
“Nigeria cannot and must not normalize mass abductions. The time for firm, coordinated action is now. May God protect our nation and bring all abducted citizens home safely.” He added.