August 13, (THEWILL) – The Nasarawa State House of Assembly has directed the chairmen of the 13 Local Government Areas (LGAs) in the State to collaborate with traditional rulers and security agencies to organise a security summit within two weeks.
The directive follows rising incidents of kidnappings across the state.
Speaker of the House, Danladi Jatau, issued the directive while reading a resolution on a matter of public interest raised by the Deputy Speaker, Muhammad Adamu Oyanki.
Oyanki had drawn the lawmakers’ attention to the alarming rate of kidnappings in his constituency and across the state.
Commending Oyanki and the Assembly members for their contributions to the motion, the Speaker said, “The resolution of the House is to the effect that we commend His Excellency, Engr. Abdullahi Sule, and security agencies for their efforts in tackling insecurity in the state. However, we urge them to be more committed and to re-strategise in order to effectively combat kidnapping.
“All Local Government Chairmen should collaborate with traditional rulers and security agencies in their domains to summon a security summit within two weeks to find lasting solutions to the issue of kidnapping in the state.”
Seeking immediate action to address the growing menace, the Speaker urged the people to cooperate with security agents by providing useful information that could help curtail criminal activities.
In their contributions, several lawmakers, including Hon. Luka Iliya Zhekaba, Hon. Suleiman Yakubu Azara, Hon. Jacob Ajegana, Hon. Hajarat Danyaro Ibrahim, and Hon. Barr. Esson Mairiga urged security agencies to adopt modern technology and be more committed to protecting lives and property.
The lawmakers expressed concern that the rate of kidnappings had reached an alarming level, affecting not only ordinary citizens but also local government chairmen, traditional and religious leaders, and political officeholders. They noted that some victims had been released after paying ransoms, while others were killed, including within Lafia, the state capital.
Earlier, Deputy Speaker Oyanki recounted the dire situation in his constituency, highlighting that kidnappings had become a daily occurrence. He called on his colleagues to support his motion, stressing the urgency of finding a solution to the crisis to protect the lives of Nasarawa’s residents.
“Mr. Speaker and my Honourable colleagues, the issue of forceful abduction and kidnapping is a matter of concern in my constituency. We must find a solution to this problem to save the lives of our people,” Oyanki urged.
