Kaduna government confirms abduction of 30 students from Forestry College

The alarming trend of abductions in Nigeria has once again come to the forefront with the recent confirmation of the abduction of 30 students, predominantly females, from the Federal College of Forestry Mechanisation in Kaduna state. This incident marks the fourth abduction since December, raising serious concerns about the security situation in the country. Onyekachi Adekoya, the Managing Director of PR24 Nigeria, joined CNBC Africa to discuss the growing issue and the government's response to it. Adekoya emphasized that there is no quick fix to the security challenges facing Nigeria and highlighted the government's reactive approach to the escalating crisis. He pointed out that the military is currently engaged in operations in 31 states, leaving the police force overwhelmed with various security issues. The situation in the northwest region, in particular, has become increasingly dire, making it difficult for the government to proactively address the security threats. Adekoya stressed the urgent need for a strategic shift in the government's security measures to effectively combat the rising wave of abductions. Despite President Buhari's previous assurances that the abductions were under control, the recurring incidents indicate otherwise. The abduction and subsequent release of hundreds of schoolgirls and the recent abduction of students from the forestry college underscore the challenges the government faces in tackling the security crisis. Adekoya criticized the government's reactive stance and called for the establishment of state police to secure local communities and ultimately protect the nation. He argued that without securing the grassroots level, the entire country remains vulnerable to further attacks, highlighting the need for a fundamental change in security strategy. Adekoya also raised concerns about President Buhari's directive to shoot individuals carrying AK-47 rifles, cautioning against potential human rights violations and unintended casualties. He emphasized the complexity of the situation and the risks associated with such a directive, calling for a more nuanced approach to dealing with armed individuals. The ongoing security challenges in Nigeria require a comprehensive and proactive response from the government to ensure the safety and security of its citizens. Adekoya's insights shed light on the urgent need for a strategic overhaul of the country's security apparatus to effectively address the escalating security threats and protect vulnerable communities from further harm.