Kafilat Adetola Ogbara, the lawmaker representing Kosofe Federal Constituency in Lagos, has expressed concern over the continued absence of arrests in recent high-profile kidnapping cases, despite the successful release of abducted schoolchildren.
Her comments follow the latest development in Kebbi State, where 24 schoolgirls abducted in Maga were freed on Monday. Terrorists had attacked the school at dawn on November 17, seizing the girls shortly after a military detachment departed the area.
The Kebbi abduction sparked further copycat attacks in Eruku, Kwara State, and Papiri, Niger State. All 38 victims kidnapped in Eruku were released on Sunday. On the same day, the Niger State chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria announced that 50 students abducted from a Catholic school had been reunited with their families.
Despite these recoveries, there has been no information regarding the arrest or parade of the perpetrators.
Speaking during Wednesday’s plenary, Rep. Ogbara renewed her call for the establishment of State Police and stressed the need for governors to take stronger action, noting that the President cannot be physically present in all states.
“We need our governors to do more. The President cannot be everywhere; he cannot be in Sokoto, he cannot be in Zamfara, he cannot be in Ogun, and he cannot be in Lagos, his own state,” she said.
Questioning the lack of accountability, she stated: “We have seen the children — where are the kidnappers?”