Ijaw leader, Chief Edwin Clark, Monday 26 August 2024 has described as victory for the Preisdent Bola Tinubu administration the rescue of the 20 medical students and eight National Youth Service members.
Clark equally commended the president and security agencies for their roles in the operation.
The former National Commissioner in a statement said the successful rescue is a major victory for the Tinubu administration.
He stated partly: “The rescue of the 20 medical students and the eight corpers from Akwa Ibom State, who were rescued after spending one year in the bush, in the hands of their abductors, is major victory for the President Tinubu administration, and I commend him for it.
“I commend the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu; the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, and all those who participated in this rescue mission. I pray that such rescue methods should be deployed all over the country, across the North East, North West, North Central, South East, South West and South South.
“I also call on the State Governors to up their game. The issue of security left in the hands of the President alone is not tenable. The excuse by the Governors that they do not control the security forces in their States, does not hold water, because they use these same security agencies to fight their opponents in their various States.
“I have not heard that the security agencies have refused the call of any governor to assist them in their States.
Once again, I commend President Tinubu and all the agencies on this feat.”
He said the news made his weekend, saying “For a long time now, this past weekend was a weekend I was able to spend with joy and gladness in my heart, as a result of the successful rescue of the innocent 20 medical students, who were abducted along Benue State, on their way to attend a programme in Enugu State, and eight youth corp members who were abducted a year ago.
” This feeling was even bolstered, as I watched Dr. Reuben Abati, who has just come back fresh from his vacation, excitedly analyze and commend President Tinubu and the security forces for this feat. I whole heartedly agree with his analysis.
“Kidnapping and banditry is having adverse effect on our economy and life style. It has killed agricultural activities in the country, as farmers are no longer free to go to their farms.
“Time was in this country, when trading was carried out within States along the roads. But now driving, for instance, from Abuja to Kaduna, even during the day, has become frightening, because one is not sure what will befall the person.
“Abduction has become the most dangerous weapon against security, economy and the social life of the people, to the extent that no one can move freely on the roads for fear of being kidnapped.”
