House of Reps Asks FG to Declare State of Emergency On Kidnapping

Members of the House of Representatives have cried out to the Federal Government to as a matter of urgency declare a state of emergency on the trend of kidnapping in the country. 

They pointedly demanded for a security summit involving critical security operatives with a view to finding lasting solution to the increasing spate of kidnappings across the country.

The charge came through a motion which falls under the purview of ‘ matters of urgent public importance’ moved by Hon. Babatunde Gabriel Kolawole during plenary session on Wednesday, October 12, 2016.

While imploring the security agencies to be alive to their responsibilities of protecting lives and properties, he decried the widely speculated that some men of the security outfits are found culpable to this criminality.

He further informed that some unscrupulous elements have chosen to hold the nation to ransom and seemed to be gaining from it. He added that as the primary responsibility of Government, all hands should be on deck to curb these criminals who are on kidnapping spree. 

The Federal Lawmaker alongside other members called for more pragmatic and proactive steps by the police.

Adding that we must not wait until people are kidnapped and ransom are paid to rescue victims before appropriate measures  including intelligence gathering to arrest the situation are taken.

Hon. Kolawole noted also that kidnapping has become the fastest means to make money in the country and should be discouraged vehemently. 

He stated that kidnapping started in the southern part of the country who then took many expatriates hostages and demanded for ransoms as conditions for their release.

Now the trend has spread across the entire country. He added that it is worrisome to note that not just the rich are now being kidnapped, but monarchs, farmers, secondary school Students and Teachers have become targets and victims of kidnapping.

A resolution was passed in support of the motion which was accordingly refereed to the Committees on Police Affairs, Human Rights and Legislative Compliance for immediate action.

The House passed 26 Bills for first reading and 2 Bills scaled second reading during Wednesday plenary. Among the Bills read the second time was a Bill which seeks to amend the Nigerian National Merit Award Act, 2004 to require that any Awardee that is convicted of a criminal Offense shall be stripped of the Honour. 

The Bill is credited to Hon. Ayodele Oladimeji.