JUST-IN:Nasarawa State Assembly raises alarm over high rate of kidnapping in Nasarawa

The Nasarawa State House of Assembly has expressed worry of over the increasing rate of kidnapping in communities across the state.

Mr Muhammad Oyanki, Deputy Speaker of the Assembly, raised the alarm under matters of public interest during plenary on Monday in Lafia.

The Speaker, Mr Danladi Jatau, while reading the Assembly’s resolution on the matter, directed local government council chairmen to organise security summits within two weeks in collaboration with traditional rulers and security agencies in order to tackle the menace.

Jatau appreciated Oyanki and all members of the Assembly for their positive contributions on the issue.

“The resolution of the House is to the effect that we commend Governor Abdullahi Sule and security agencies for their efforts in tackling insecurity in the state.

“We urge the security agencies to be more committed and restrategize to tackle kidnapping in the state.

“The anti-kidnapping law passed by the Nasarawa State House of Assembly should be strictly obeyed and anyone found wanting should be dealt with accordingly,” he said.

The Speaker also called on residents to cooperate and support security agencies with useful information that would help in tackling kidnapping and other criminal acts in the state.

In their contributions, lawmakers including Luka Zhekaba, Yakubu Azara, Jacob Ajegana, Hajarat Danyaro, Esson Mairiga, Musa Abubakar, Solomon Akwashiki, Onarigu Kana, Muhammad Omadefu and Peter Akwe, urged the security agencies to be more committed to their duties in order to protect lives and property.

They noted that the people in their various constituencies could no longer sleep peacefully at night for fear of being kidnapped.

They also urged security agencies to adopt technology to combat kidnapping and other violent crimes in the state.

Earlier, Oyanki, while moving the motion said that the issue of forceful abduction and kidnapping had becoming alarming in his constituency.

“Kidnapping has become a serious problem in my constituency, every day and night, people are being kidnapped.

“We must find solution to the incessant kidnapping in the state in order to save the lives of our people.

“Recently, a councillor and many other people were kidnapped in my constituency. Let’s try and find solution to this issue,” he said