Nigeria's President Tinubu declares ‘nationwide security emergency’ amid surge in mass kidnappings
Abuja: In a move to address the escalating wave of mass kidnappings and armed violence across the country, Nigerian President Bola Tinubu declared a "nationwide security emergency" on Wednesday.
The president further announced a security plan that will see the recruitment of thousands of additional personnel for both the military and police forces. “This is a national emergency, and we are responding by deploying more boots on the ground, especially in security-challenged areas,” Tinubu said in a statement, as cited by news agency AFP.
Kidnappers have recently targeted various groups across Nigeria, abducting schoolchildren, worshippers, and women in separate incidents. Within a single week, at least 25 schoolgirls, 38 worshippers, 315 schoolchildren and teachers, 13 young women and girls near a farm, and 10 women and children were kidnapped.
While dozens of victims have been rescued or managed to escape, more than 265 children and their teachers remain missing after being seized from a boarding school in Niger state last week, reported AFP.
“In view of the emerging security situation, I have decided to declare a nationwide security emergency and order additional recruitment into the Armed Forces,” Tinubu added.
The president has ordered the recruitment of 20,000 additional police officers, which will increase the police force's strength to 50,000.
The government has also approved the use of National Youth Service Corps camps as training facilities. Furthermore, Tinubu has directed the withdrawal of officers from VIP guard duties for redeployment to conflict zones after crash retraining.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Mangaluru: Teacher booked for allegedly beating student in school
Vittla (Dakshina Kannada): A case has been registered at the Vittla Police Station against a school teacher on charges of seriously assaulting a student with a cane at an English-medium school in Idkidu village here near Vittla in Dakshina Kannada district.
According to the complaint, the student, who attends the school regularly, had gone to school as usual. Around 2 pm, the child’s parents received a call from the school office stating that their child had allegedly disturbed other students. The school informed them that when the teacher scolded the student over the issue, the child became frightened and urinated, and the parents were asked to come and take the child home.
The parents reportedly told the school staff that no one was at home at the time and requested that the child be sent home in an autorickshaw.
After returning home, the student told the parents that a teacher identified as Istikaar had beaten him severely on the hand with a cane. The child also said that he urinated out of fear while the assault was taking place.
When the parents contacted the teacher over the phone to question him about the incident, he allegedly responded in a dismissive manner.
Following this, the parents lodged complaints with the Vittla Police Station and the Child Development Project Office, seeking justice and strict action against the teacher for allegedly assaulting the child without any valid reason.
Police have registered a case against the teacher and have taken up further investigation.
