The Nasarawa State House of Assembly has expressed concern over the growing wave of insecurity in the state, particularly the increasing cases of kidnapping.
The Speaker of the House, Dr. Danladi Jatau, made this known during plenary in Lafia after Solomon Akwashiki, who represents Lafia Central Constituency, raised the matter under public interest.
Dr. Jatau called on security agencies to fully enforce the state’s anti-kidnapping law, which was passed by the Assembly to tackle the menace.
He lamented the rising trend of abductions and warned that the state risked becoming a safe haven for kidnappers if urgent measures were not taken.
“Our resolutions are as thus, we call on the state governor to direct security agencies to beef up security across the state.
“Secondly, we are directing security agencies to use the law passed by this House to curb kidnapping.
“Thirdly, we call on residents to report suspicious movements, activities and individuals to security agents for action,” the speaker said.
Earlier, Solomon Akwashiki had expressed worry that Lafia, the state capital, was no longer safe, as kidnappers continued to operate without restraint.
“Mr Speaker, if Lafia is not safe, where else will be safe? These kidnappers are on rampage, causing harm unhindered. We must rise up before it is too late,” Akwashiki said.
Supporting the motion, Daniel Ogazi (APC-Kokona East) recalled that the Assembly had already passed a law to combat kidnapping but questioned why it was not being enforced effectively.
“The law passed by this House provided that if a kidnapper is arrested, he or she should be eliminated. This was working, but we don’t know what happened later,” Ogazi said.
Other lawmakers, including the Majority Leader, Suleiman Azara, Esson Mairiga (PDP-Lafia North), and Mohammed Omadefu (APC-Keana), also urged security agencies to adopt new strategies in tackling kidnapping across the state.