Police should extend energy used in rescuing abducted ex-AIG’s wife to ordinary Nigerians in kidnappers’ den: Peter Obi

Mr Obi said the police needed to extend similar professionalism to cases of ordinary Nigerians, whose cases often occurred and were ignored.

Tosin Ajuwon • January 24, 2025

Peter Obi [Credit: Peter Obi]

Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the opposition Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 general election, has asked the Nigeria Police to extend the same energy it used in rescuing the wife of Hakeem Odumosu, a retired assistant inspector-general of police (AIG), to ensure the release of other abducted victims.

The force spokesperson, Muyiwa Adejobi, had on Thursday announced that the abduction of Folashade Odumosu on January 16 sparked an immediate response from the anti-kidnapping unit of the Ogun Police Command. He said the police rescued her after a raid on the kidnappers’ den in Ikorodu and killed two kidnappers.

Reacting to the development in a tweet on Friday, Mr Obi said the police needed to extend similar professionalism to cases of ordinary Nigerians, whose cases often occurred and were ignored. Nonetheless, he commended the police’s effort.

“While celebrating this laudable achievement, I urge the Nigeria Police to extend the same level of urgency and professionalism to cases involving everyday Nigerians — those whose plights are often underreported or ignored.

“Many innocent citizens remain victims of abduction, languishing in captivity without rescue efforts reaching them,” he tweeted.

He noted that the operation, which the police conducted within a week, highlighted the security agencies’ capability to act decisively when motivated.

“What stands out is the precision with which the rescue mission was executed. It not only led to the safe release of the victim, unharmed, but also resulted in the neutralisation of some kidnappers, the recovery of weapons, and the retrieval of the ransom. Such a professional outcome deserves high praise.

“This incident offers hope. It proves that these issues can be tackled effectively if security personnel are well-resourced, supported, and committed to their responsibilities,” he wrote.

Kayode Egbetokun, the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), who President Bola Tinubu appointed, has repeatedly promised to go hard on the activities of kidnappers and armed bandits breaching the peace of the country.

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