We Will Rescue All Nigerians in Captivity,” Vows IGP Egbetokun

The Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has vowed to secure the release of all Nigerians currently held by kidnappers across the country. This commitment was made during a briefing at the Force Headquarters in Abuja on Tuesday, where he reviewed the recent successful rescue of 20 medical students from the University of Maiduguri and Plateau State University, who were abducted in Benue while en route to a conference in Enugu.

A recent report by data collection organization Statisense reveals that in 2023 alone, 2,149 Nigerians were kidnapped nationwide. The report highlights that the North-West region recorded the highest number of cases with 759 incidents, followed by the North Central with 476 cases, and the North-East with 408 cases. The South-South, South-East, and South-West regions recorded 216, 191, and 99 cases, respectively.

Force spokesperson Muyiwa Adejobi, in a statement, reaffirmed the IGP’s determination to leave no stone unturned in the ongoing efforts to rescue all 2,000+ citizens held captive, including those kidnapped in previous years.

“The Inspector General of Police reaffirms the dedication of the Police, under his leadership, to assiduously establish a Police Force that is professionally competent, rule-of-law compliant, service-driven, and people-friendly. The IGP assures the public of the safe rescue of all Nigerians in captivity across the country. This is our pledge, and we will ensure its fulfillment,” Adejobi quoted Egbetokun as saying.

The IGP also expressed gratitude to National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, other security agencies, and local communities for their invaluable support in the rescue operations. He acknowledged Ribadu’s unwavering dedication to aiding the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies in their constitutional mandate to protect lives and maintain law and order across the nation.

Egbetokun urged citizens to play an active role in national security and development, emphasizing the need for collaboration among all stakeholders, including security agencies and government entities, to achieve a safer and more secure Nigeria.

He further called for a shift towards modern policing strategies and encouraged citizen involvement in security initiatives, advocating for a collective approach to enhancing national security and fostering socio-political progress in the country.