Kidnapping: Amaechi, Security Agencies Plan Fresh Onslaught
Thisday newspaper – 02.06.2009
Security agencies in Rivers State, working in close collaboration with the state Governor, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, have come up with a fresh plan to stem the new spate of abductions in the state.
Before now, Amaechi, working with security agencies, had tried to curb the ugly act before the recent upsurge. Amaechi on Wednesday, held marathon meetings with security agencies in the state to fashion out a new plan and strategy against kidnappings.
On Wednesday, wife of former Petroleum Minister, Edmund Daukoro, Gladys, and an INEC Commissioner were kidnapped in Port Harcourt.
The governor met with the state Police Commissioner, Bala Hassan, and some top officers in Government House. A top Police source revealed that the only agenda at the meeting was how to tackle the recent spate of abductions in the state.
Later in the evening, after the State Executive Council meeting, Amaechi held an enlarged security council meeting with top brass of all security agencies in the state, including the police, State Security Service, Navy, Army, Airforce and Joint Taskforce on Security in the Niger Delta.
Sources said security situation in the state was discussed extensively, with blames apportioned where failures were noticed, and agreement reached that efforts must be redoubled by everyone present, to stem the ugly trend in the state. When contacted, Media Consultant to Amaechi, David Iyofor, confirmed the meetings.
Iyofor said, “the governor is very worried about security situation in the state. The recent abduction is giving him sleepless nights and finding a way to put an end to it is a key priority to him. He is discussing extensively to find solution and the meetings of Wednesday were part of that process. I was not at the meetings, so I can’t talk about what was discussed.”
I can’t say anything about any new security measures or plans, but I can tell you categorically that Amaechi is more determined now, than ever before, to support and work with our security agencies to put an end to this spate of abductions and kidnappings and return Rivers State to the path of peace and economic boom.”
