‘We no longer sleep with two eyes closed’ — Nasarawa lawmaker laments kidnappings

By Edwin Philip, Lafia Member representing the Lafia Central constituency at the Nasarawa State House of Assembly, Hon. Solomon Yakubu Akwashiki, has said that the people of his constituency cannot longer sleep with their two eyes closed due to the frequent abduction of the people in the constituency. The lawmaker, while raising the issue on the floor of the House on Tuesday as a matter of public interest, urged the security agencies and the state government to be more committed to protecting the lives and property of its citizens.

He said, “Mr Speaker and my honourable colleagues, I rise on a matter of frequent kidnapping in my constituency. “Yesterday, in Agyaragu Lafia, two people were kidnapped. Days back, in Agunji Lafia, people were kidnapped. “As I am talking, the two people kidnapped yesterday are in the hands of the kidnappers, and they are demanding ransom. “Security agencies and the state government should rise up to curtail the rate of kidnapping and other forms of insecurity in my constituency,” he appealed.

Reacting to the alarm over a fresh resurgence of kidnapping incidents across the State, the Speaker of the House, Dr Danladi Jatau, said that the State capital and some parts of the State are experiencing frequent abductions that have caused fear and economic setbacks to the State. The speaker appreciated the mover of the motion and other colleagues for their positive contributions on the issue.

“The resolution of the House is to the effect that we urge His Excellency, Gov. Abdullahi Sule, to direct all security agencies, the Commissioner of Police, and the DSS and NSCDC to beam their satellites across the state to curtail the rate of kidnapping. “All hands must be on deck, especially Chiefs and Village Heads, in collaboration with Vigilantes to identify strange people in their communities,” he said.

The Speaker directed the Clerk of the House to communicate the House resolution to Gov. Sule for his necessary action. Also contributing, Hon. Esson Mairiga Esq, 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 and called on the state government to beef up security across the state in order to curtail the rate of kidnapping in the state.

They lamented how kidnapping is affecting the lives of their people negatively. The lawmakers, however, appreciated the efforts of Gov. Sule in terms of security but urged him and security agencies to be more committed to tackling the rate of kidnapping across the state. The lawmakers collectively called on security agencies to intensify operations.

They called on both the federal and state governments to purchase sophisticated weapons via technology to tackle insecurity in the state.