Nasarawa Assembly Expresses Concern Over High Rate Of Kidnapping

Nasarawa State House of Assembly has expressed concern over the rise in kidnapping incidents across the state.

The House at the plenary on Monday described the situation as unfortunate even as it said the development is unacceptable.

Speaking on a motion of public importance presented by the deputy speaker, Mr Mohammed Adamu Onyaki (PDP, Doma North), the speaker, Mr Danladi Jatau, frowned at the audacity of armed men who raid residences even at city centres, abduct occupants and sometimes disappeared without a trace.

He said that despite the existence of kidnapping law, which prescribed stiff penalties for offenders, abduction of persons is still on the rise.

LEADERSHIP reports that the State’s Kidnapping Act Prohibition Law, 2020 stipulated the death penalty on conviction and forfeiture of any property used by kidnappers while the owner of such a property would be liable to 20 years in jail.

The speaker called for enforcement of the kidnapping law to serve as a deterrent to offenders, adding that its strict application will also contain the rising incidences of abduction across the state.

He equally called for the convocation of a security summit by the chairmen of the 13 local government areas of the state to fashion a way of addressing the challenges permanently.

In the interim, Mr. Jatau urged the security agencies to increase surveillance and intelligence in areas designated as red spots for kidnapping activities in the state.

He also urged the people to join hands with the security agents in tackling kidnapping and other criminal activities in the state.

Mr Oyanki, in a motion, had decried the spate of kidnapping, especially in his constituency and urged the House to take a firm stand against the menace.

“Mr Speaker and my Honourable colleagues, the issue of forceful abduction and kidnapping is a thing of concern in my constituency.

“Kidnapping has become a serious problem in my constituency. Every day and night, people have been kidnapped.

“We must find a solution to the incessant kidnapping in the state to save the lives of our people,” he said.