BENIN CITY – Edo State House of Assembly on Wednesday adopted a motion calling on the state government and all the relevant security agencies in the state to as a mater of urgency secure the release of all kidnapped victims including pupils of Gloryland International School, Igarra in Akoko-Edo Local Government Area of the state.
The house also urged security agencies to increase their presence in Akoko-Edo local government area and possibly set up response teams capable of addressing security challenges as a result of its proximity to two other states along borderline making it highly vulnerable.
The resolution was sequel to a matter of urgent public importance moved by the member representing Akoko-Edo 2 Constituency, Hon. Emmanuel Agbaje.
The lawmaker who decried the state of insecurity in the local government, narrated how pupils of Gloryland International School, Igarra were kidnapped on their way from school.
He said that kidnapping had become rampant in the locality adding that a member of a family who was going to pay a ransom for the release of his family members was also kidnapped.
Hon. Agbaje thereafter solicited the support of the members to wade into the matter with a view to putting an end to the problem of incessant kidnapping in the area as well as rescue the kidnapped pupils whose whereabouts still remain unknown.
Also speaking, former deputy speaker and member representing Akoko-Edo 1 Constituency, Hon. Yekini Idaiye said many residents of the area had fallen victim of kidnapping in the locality.
He said that the residents with the support of vigilante and hunters have been instrumental in the fight against insecurity but their efforts were not enough.
He stated that the level of insecurity in the local government was alarming adding that as the oldest local government in the country and the most undeveloped it should not be allowed to go into extinction.
On his part, the Deputy Speaker, Hon. Roland Asoro said it was disheartening that the people of Akoko-Edo were in experiencing this level of insecurity.
He said that it worrisome that despite the efforts of the state government in addressing insecurity in the state, the level of insecurity was still high everywhere in the state.
The speaker , Rt.Hon. Marcus Onobun in his submission said it was saddening that the state of insecurity was on the increase but said that collaborative effort of all the relevant security agencies was required in addressing the challenges of insecurity.
He directed that clean copies of the resolution be given to relevant all relevant authorities for immediate action. Edo assembly calls for release of kidnapped pupils in Akoko-Edo
