By Mercy Gadia Adi
The Federal lawmaker who represents Idah, Ibaji, Igalamela, Ofu Federal Constituency in Kogi State Tuesday called on the Chief of Defense Staff, Chief of Army Staff, Inspector General of Police, Director of State Security, to intensify efforts to end the rising cases of kidnappings in Igala kingdom.
Honorable David Zakaria, made the call while raising a motion of urgent importance on the floor of the green chamber calling on the government to intervene and provide security and also to address the escalating cases of kidnapping in igala Kingdom.
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According to Zakaria, the kidnappings have become a recurring decimal in the area, with travelers and community members falling victim to the attacks.
“The only option that we have is to cry to the help of the government to provide security agents to come and rescue both our community and the passengers that are strangers that pass within our areas,” Zakaria said.
The lawmaker expressed concerns that despite the efforts of local vigilantes and security agencies, the kidnappings have continued unabated.
“The vigilantes have done a lot of things. They have used a lot of their security knowledge in that area. Every day they keep penetrating the boats inside the village, both on the road side. You know, everywhere around that area is not even safe, despite the effort of the vigilante and the Nigeria police authorities, we still have that challenges,” Zakaria said.
Zakaria attributed the success of the kidnappers to their superior firepower and the thick forest surrounding the area. “From my personal observation, this area that we’re talking about surrounded with a very thick forest. There is no way that the vigilante security will have upper power to arrest the so-called kidnappers in that area, there is no way they can do it because of the thick forest around that area, despite their efforts.”
“We have also observed that the people who are involved in these activities, they are strangers that have also, you know, collaborated with the villagers, which the local vigilante groups have dealt with a lot of them, lot of them were arrested, and they are still arresting, but still, they can still not conquer the activities of kidnappings in that area.”
Zakaria’s motion called on the Inspector General of Police to establish a mobile police station at the center of the locality, as well as for the Chief of Army Staff to position a military checkpoint at critical points in the area. “My cry is to the Inspector General of Police, like I mentioned in my motion, Army Chief of Army Staff and other security agencies that can come to the aid of my people.”
The lawmaker emphasized the strategic importance of the area, which serves as a gateway to the eastern part of Nigeria. “The junctions that I have mentioned, is the junctions that lead to Eastern part of Nigeria. From there you can go to Akwa Ibom, Enugu, IMO, state, from there you can also go to Benue, and people coming from Benue, Enugu, IMO, state, pass the road to North side and even go to Lagos and Ibadan other places.”
The House of Representatives is expected to take further action on the motion, which seeks to address the rising cases of kidnapping in Igala Kingdom.