Chief Edwin Clark Commends President Tinubu and Security Agencies for Rescue of Abducted Medical Students and Youth Corps Members
Chief Edwin Clark has expressed his appreciation to President Bola Tinubu and the Nigerian security agencies for the successful rescue operation that freed 20 medical students abducted in Benue State and eight youth corps members from Akwa Ibom who had been held captive for over a year.
In a statement, Clark shared his immense relief and joy over the news, commending the authorities for their swift and effective action to secure the release of the hostages. He emphasized the critical impact of kidnapping and banditry on Nigeria’s economy and citizen safety, noting that these crimes have severely disrupted agricultural activities and made travel within the country hazardous.
Clark recalled a particularly tragic kidnapping incident in Kaduna, where several victims, including a medical doctor preparing to travel abroad for further studies, were killed. This event underscored the urgent need to address the ongoing kidnapping crisis in Nigeria.
He praised the innovative rescue strategy employed in this recent operation, which reportedly used ransom as bait while deploying advanced technological tools to locate and apprehend the kidnappers. Clark highlighted the importance of sophisticated technology and coordination in such operations, noting that the success of this mission demonstrates a commendable level of preparedness and capability by the security agencies.
Drawing from his personal experience in negotiating the release of hostages, including his own son who was abducted in the Niger Delta, Clark acknowledged the complexities and challenges involved in rescuing kidnap victims. He called for the strategies used in this successful operation to be applied nationwide to combat the widespread issue of kidnapping.
Clark urged state governors to take more proactive steps in ensuring the security of their regions, arguing that it is insufficient to rely solely on the President for security measures. He pointed out that while governors have successfully utilized security agencies for political ends, they should also harness these resources to protect their citizens.
The elder statesman concluded by reiterating his praise for President Tinubu, National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, Inspector General of Police Kayode Egbetokun, and all those involved in the rescue mission. He encouraged them to continue employing such effective methods to enhance safety and security across Nigeria.
