—…Says Nigeria Remains ‘a Captive’ Until Every Victim Is Freed
Senate President Godswill Akpabio has urged decisive government action to rescue Nigerians held captive by armed abductors, saying sympathy alone is not enough to address the country’s worsening insecurity.
Akpabio made the call on Tuesday as the Senate resumed plenary after its recess. In an address that focused on insecurity, flooding and the rising cost of living, he expressed sympathy for families whose loved ones have been abducted and communities affected by violence, but said the plight of victims demanded concrete action from government and security agencies.
“Sympathies alone cannot discharge our duties. They are entitled to our attention, our resolve and the full force of our constitutional responsibilities,” he said.
He charged security agencies to intensify efforts to rescue kidnapped Nigerians and to protect communities vulnerable to attacks, stressing that the continued captivity of citizens was a burden on the entire nation.
“So long as a single Nigerian languishes in captivity, a part of Nigeria is itself captive, and this chamber cannot call itself free of the burden,” he said.
Akpabio said the National Assembly would examine—through legislation, appropriation and oversight—what more could be done to confront insecurity and strengthen the response of government institutions.
“We cannot summon citizens to courage and then leave them to face danger alone. Their safety is a charge laid upon us and upon every institution of government, particularly this Nigerian Senate,” he said.
Noting that the Senate’s return from recess did not mean the challenges confronting Nigerians had stopped, he said: “We adjourned since the 23rd day of July, 2026. The sittings of the Senate ceased in plenary for a season, but the life of Nigeria did not cease.”
Lawmakers, he added, must measure their performance by tangible improvements in the lives and security of citizens. “Our victories should be measured in safer communities, better livelihoods for all Nigerians, and a stronger country for those we serve and for generations unborn.”
Akpabio also acknowledged the hardship caused by the rising cost of living, saying lawmakers must remain conscious of the economic realities confronting ordinary Nigerians. “Many Nigerians continue to bear a very heavy cost of living,” he said, citing families struggling with food costs and unemployed graduates as examples of the challenges policymakers must address.
As Nigeria prepares to mark another independence anniversary, Akpabio called for renewed patriotism and a commitment to national unity. “Patriotism requires clear eyes and a steadfast heart: clear eyes to see our difficulties, courage to confront them, and steadfastness to go on building Nigeria in unity,” he said.
He urged lawmakers to remain focused on their responsibilities despite political activities and campaigns ahead of the 2027 elections. “Let us then return to our duties with steady hands. Let us work for the safety of our people, the strength of our institutions, and a better chance in life for every child of this Republic,” he said.
On flooding, he called for a more proactive response, urging governments at all levels to move beyond emergency reactions and ensure that warnings translate into preparedness and protection. “A warning must lead to preparation, preparation must lead to protection, and relief must reach the people for whom it is intended,” he said, warning that the destruction of farms and homes has broader consequences for food security and the national economy.
“When a farmer loses his harvest, our country loses food it can ill afford to spare. When a family loses its home, the nation has a stake in helping that family rise again,” he said.
