Trending 
The Managing Director of News Central Television, Kayode Akintemi, has expressed anguish over the plight of kidnapped children held in captivity for over 50 days during a courtesy visit to the Katsina State Police Command ahead of a town hall meeting on insecurity scheduled for Thursday.
The media executive spoke during a visit to the state police headquarters, where he engaged in discussions with the Katsina State Commissioner of Police, Ali Fage, and senior officers on the shared responsibility of the media and law enforcement in fostering a secure society.
“It breaks my heart when I see a situation where children are suffering. Because those children will not be going to school in the bush. They will not be having doctors attend to them if mosquitoes bite them and they have malaria,” Akintemi said.
The visit comes ahead of the News Central Town Hall, themed “From Survivor to Safety: Survivor, Security and the Future of Katsina,” scheduled for Thursday, which will bring together survivors, community leaders, security stakeholders and policymakers to address the impact of banditry and kidnapping on communities in Nigeria’s northwest.
Akintemi said the town hall was originally scheduled for a month ago but was delayed due to the kidnapping of children in Oyo State’s Oriire community, which the station prioritised to amplify calls for their release.
“Our reporters were out there reporting from where it mattered. We were hoping that within a short time, there will be a rescue or release of those people. But it’s over 50 days and they’re still in captivity. And that worries us,” he said.
From fear to safety, what does the future hold for Katsina communities?#NCTownHall brings together survivors and stakeholders for a conversation on the realities facing communities and the steps needed towards lasting safety.
Click to be notified: https://t.co/HWPyJCA8Y9 pic.twitter.com/wQ9uNNmU85
— News Central TV (@NewsCentralTV) July 7, 2026
Akintemi also cited the case of General Abubakar Rabe, who was kidnapped and later died in captivity.
“When General Abubakar Rabi was kidnapped and eventually died in captivity, it was trauma and it was heartbreaking for us that this can happen to a general of the Nigerian army,” Kayode said.
He called for stronger collaboration between the media and security agencies, describing it as vital to achieving lasting peace and security.
“The level of unrest and troubles that we have seen in Katsina has made it such that we have no choice but to come here,” he said.
Responding, Commissioner Fage welcomed the News Central team and pledged the command’s full support for the town hall.
“Katsina has occupied a vital space in the Nigerian security architecture. It borders with the Nigerian Republic. It is the second largest state that has about 34 local government,” Fage said.
“We are going to partner with you, and we are going to give you all the support and the input that will make this town hall meeting to be a success,” Fage said.
“By the grace of God, we are going to come to an end of this banditry…. I equally want to assure you that your visit is going to be fruitful.”
The town hall, scheduled for Thursday, will be broadcast live across News Central’s television and digital platforms and aims to create space for dialogue between citizens and decision-makers on practical steps towards lasting safety.
