November 22, (THEWILL) – The Senate, on Wednesday, passed a resolution directing the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, to revisit the $460 million spent by the Federal Government on the closed-circuit television (CCTV) project in Abuja.
The resolution followed a recent spate of kidnappings in the Federal Capital Territory
Sponsored by Ned Nwoko, Senator representing Delta North, the lawmakers while adopting the motion, asked security agencies to probe the kidnappings in Abuja and its surroundings.
The CCTV project, awarded to ZTE Corporation, a Chinese firm, in 2010, involved a payment of 15 percent by the Federal Government and 85 percent by the Chinese EXIM Bank — to be repaid within 10 years at prevailing interest rates.
While moving his motion on the floor of the Senate, Nwoko said Chris Agidy, his senior legislative aide, was among 19 people snatched from their homes by kidnappers in Galadimawa, a district in Abuja.
“Approximately two weeks ago, a distressing incident unfolded where 19 individuals were forcefully taken from their homes in the Galadimawa area of Abuja.
“Upon receiving this distressing news, immediate measures were taken by Senator Ned Munir Nwoko whose SLA was unfortunately among. He contacted the Commissioner of Police who swiftly activated the OC Anti-Kidnapping team to secure the release of those abducted.
“Regrettably, we have received distressing updates from reliable police sources confirming that out of the 19 individuals abducted, 12 have been killed while seven remain in the custody of the kidnappers.
“Efforts to ascertain the well-being and status of our staff, Barrister Chris, among the 7 individuals still held, are ongoing.
“According to the security operatives, efforts are still focused on securing the remaining individuals held captive from the forested area approximately 100km away, despite the daunting challenges faced in reaching the kidnappers,” said Nwoko.
