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Senate President Godswill Akpabio has said that criminal gangs involved in banditry across Nigeria are using abductions as a deliberate distraction tactic to create the impression that the country is unsafe.
Akpabio made the remark on Tuesday during the official commissioning of two main carriageways of the Outer Southern Expressway from Ring Road I Junction to Ring Road II Junction as part of the FCT’s 31-day commissioning events.
He urged Nigerians to remain vigilant, warning against kidnapping incidents across the country.
“So I want all of you here to be very vigilant. Be careful about people trying to kidnap for ransom. They are kidnapping in order to cause distraction,” he said.
“Be careful about people trying to kidnap for ransom… They are kidnapping in order to give the impression that Nigeria is not safe.”
Senator Godswill Akpabio says critics of President Bola Tinubu now focus on security instead of policy and infrastructure. pic.twitter.com/ECsuxdV6Mt
— News Central TV (@NewsCentralTV) June 9, 2026
“They are kidnapping in order to give the impression that Nigeria is not safe. But our men and women in uniform have done tremendously well.”
The Senate President also expressed confidence that the current administration would complete its term and continue beyond the next election cycle.
“And that’s why I keep saying that the devil you see today, you will see them no more. Elections will come and go. Elections will never be our end,” he said.
“We will see the end of election. Elections will never see our end. So I want to encourage you all and encourage Mr. President to keep doing this good job, and never be distracted by people bent on causing confusion in the polity to give a wrong impression.”
Akpabio also defended President Bola Tinubu’s administration against criticism, alleging that opponents are unable to challenge the government based on performance and are instead attempting to create confusion and destabilise the country.
