The Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria on Tuesday bemoaned the alleged kidnapping of six directors of the Ministry of Defence.
The union claimed the directors were abducted on Monday while travelling from Lagos to Abuja for a directorate-level promotion examination.
In a statement, ASCSN President Shehu Mohammed and Secretary-General Joshua Apebo said the Defence Ministry had mobilised security operatives to ensure the safe rescue of the abducted officers.
The statement read, “Those kidnapped are Mrs Ngozi Ibeziakor, Mrs C.A. Emeribe, Mrs C. Helen Ezeakor, Mrs C.A. Ladoye, Mrs J.A. Onwuzurike, and Mrs Catherine O. Essien.
“These directors, who are members of our union and staff of Command Day Secondary School, Ojo, Lagos, were travelling from Lagos to Abuja when they were kidnapped.”
The union urged the government to decentralise all promotion and verification exercises to prevent such incidents, warning that continued disregard for safety concerns could lead to further tragedies.
“We have always advised the Federal Civil Service Commission to conduct promotion examinations in the states instead of compelling public service employees to travel long distances to Abuja,” the statement added.
“The current security situation and deplorable road conditions expose workers to grave risks.”
Meanwhile, suspected bandits on Monday attacked Alkalije village in Yabo Local Government Area of Sokoto State, killing five people, including a pregnant woman.
Alkalije, a border community under Kilgori District, lies close to Silame Local Government Area and shares boundaries with parts of Kebbi State, an area notorious for frequent incursions by Lakurawa bandit groups.
According to local sources, the victims were killed on the spot, while two others sustained gunshot injuries and are currently receiving treatment at a nearby hospital.
A community leader, who spoke on condition of anonymity for security reasons, lamented the repeated attacks, which he blamed on the absence of a security presence.
“These gunmen have been crossing from Kebbi State and Silame to attack our villages. They kill, kidnap, and even impose levies on communities.
“If we fail to pay within the time they give, they come back to destroy and kill,” he said, appealing to both state and federal governments to establish a permanent security outpost in the area.
When contacted, the Sokoto State Police Command spokesman, DSP Ahmad Rufa’i, said he had yet to receive a formal report of the incident but promised to make inquiries.
In a separate development, the Kebbi State Police Command arrested a suspected bandit in Illo District of Bagudo Local Government Area, recovering two locally made firearms and four cartridges.
According to a statement by the Police Public Relations Officer, Nafiu Abubakar, 27-year-old Buba Garba, a resident of Takalafiya village in Suru Local Government Area, was arrested on November 9 following an operation conducted with local vigilantes at Tungar Gwani village.
“On sighting the operatives, the suspect resisted arrest and used a knife to stab one of the vigilantes on the buttocks and left hand, inflicting serious injuries,” the police spokesman said.
The injured vigilante was immediately taken to a nearby medical facility and is currently receiving treatment.
During a search of the suspect, operatives reportedly found one locally made gun, one local barrel pistol, and four cartridges concealed in his possession.
The case has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department in Birnin Kebbi
-Advertisement-
Grab our latest Magazine, "Chief Wole Olanipekun, CFR, SAN, A man of wide horizons and deep intentions". Get your order fast and stress free.
For more details about Newswire Law&Events Magazine, kindly reach out to us on 08039218044, 09070309355. Email: newswiremagazine@yahoo.co.uk. You will be glad you did
Download E-MagazineDo you want to be heard, your events covered, your articles published, or need to advertise your products and services on our Blog and Magazine, reach out to us at Newswire Law and Events, you will be glad you did. For more details about our services, please call: 08039218044, 09070309355. Email: newswiremagazine@yahoo.co.uk
