Nasarawa Assembly Demands Security Action As Kidnapping Cases Rise In Lafia

Nasarawa State House of Assembly has again raised the alarm over rising cases of kidnapping in Lafia, the state capital.

The issue was raised at the House as a “Matter of Public Interest” by Hon. Solomon Yakubu Akwashiki, the member representing Lafia Central Constituency.

Akwashiki told the House that kidnapping had become frequent in his constituency in recent days.

He said two persons were kidnapped on Sunday in Agyaragu, Lafia, while other persons were abducted days earlier in Agunji, Lafia.

According to him, the two victims kidnapped in Agyaragu were still in the custody of their abductors as of the time of the sitting, with the kidnappers demanding ransom.

He said his constituents can no longer sleep with their two eyes closed and called on security agencies and the state government to be more committed to protecting life and property.

The Speaker, Dr Danladi Jatau, said the House was concerned that the state capital and other parts of the state were experiencing frequent abductions, which he said had caused fear and economic setback.

Jatau recalled that the House had previously passed an anti-kidnapping law to curb the menace and urged security agencies to utilize the law.

He said the resolution of the House is to urge Governor Abdullahi Sule to direct security agencies, including the Commissioner of Police, the Department of State Services and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, to intensify surveillance across the state.

The speaker also called on traditional rulers and vigilante groups to support security agencies in identifying strange persons in their communities.

He directed the Clerk of the House to communicate the resolution to the Governor for necessary action.

In their contributions, Hon. Esson Mairiga, Hon. Onarigu Onah Kana, Hon. Ibrahim Abdullahi Sa’ad, Hon. Suleiman Yakubu Azara, Rt. Hon. Abel Yakubu Bala and Hon. Larry Ven-Bawa supported the motion.

The lawmakers called on the state government to beef up security across the state and on security agencies to intensify operations.

They also called on the Federal and State Governments to deploy technology and sophisticated equipment to tackle insecurity.

While appreciating the efforts of Governor Sule in the area of security, the lawmakers said more needs to be done to address the resurgence of kidnapping in the state.