By Friday Idachaba, Lokoja.
Kogi State House of Assembly on Tuesday decried the spate of insecurity in the state as hoodlums abduct six person in the last three weeks in Yagba East Local Government Area of Kogi State.
THE House made the resolution following the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance moved by Hon. Emmanuel Obaro (APC-Yagba East) on the floor of the House at plenary on Tuesday in Lokoja.
Obaro who could not ascertain whether the kidnapped victims had regained their freedom or not stated that, the issue of kidnapping and armed robbery had gradually spread to his constituency and was creating a rippling-effect.
He said that the development had adversely affected individuals, families and engulfed the environment and the communities with fear and uncertainty in the Yagba-East State Constituency.
“I am aware that in the last three weeks, six different cases of attacks, leading to loss of lives, that are likened to banditry have been reported.
“Other cases of attacks in the form of kidnapping are on the rise. These attacks are affecting businesses already and dissipating the resources of the vulnerable poor victims.
The Legislator, however, commended Governor Yahaya Bello for securing the State for more than seven years, praying that, his motion would be given an urgent attention to restore peace in his constituency.
“A passionate plea be conveyed by this August Assembly urging the State Government to provide a 24-hour security surveillance on Isanlu-Egbe road, where applicable, Military, local hunters or vigilantes should be involved to eliminate the criminal threats” he added.
Seconding the motion, Major Enefola APC-Igalamela-Odolu) lamented the resurgence of kidnapping, banditry, armed robbery in the state saying that they posed serious concern for all in the State, stressing that, all hands must be on deck to address the menace.
“On the 24th of December, 2023, a Reverend Father was kidnapped in my Local Government when he was going to perform his religion obligation.
“Ransom was paid before he was released. I will like us to speedily invite the head of vigilantes, to know their challenge and see how we can rub minds together to curb the growing spate of armed robbery, kidnapping across the State”.
Supporting the motion, Hon. Idowu Ibikunle (ADC- Yagba-West), Minority Leader who could not hold his emotions said, “Whenever I am going to my home land, until I enter my home before my mind will be settle.
“Within Isanlu and the nearest village, the road is very bad and this men of the underworld easily operate. The problem is too much. It needs urgent attention to avert further casualties”.
Ruling on the motion, the Speaker of the House, Rt Hon. Aliyu Umar Yusuf said the people of Kogi State were aware of the giant achievement of present administration in term of security.
He charged the house Committee on Security to interface with the newly appointed caretaker Chairmen to chat a way forward in addressing the present insecurities across the State.
Meanwhile, A bill for a law to repeal and re-enact the Customary Court Of Appeal (Establishment) Law, 2008, and other matters connected therewith, as well as a bill for a law to repeal and re-enact the Kogi State Area Courts law, 1991 and other matters connected therewith, 2023 had their first reading
A bill for a law to enact the Kogi State Animal Disease Control and Other Related Matters Law, 2023, also had its first reading on the floor at Tuesday plenary as the House, condoled with the people of Ondo State over the demise of their former Governor Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN). (Ends)