The Edo State House of Assembly on Tuesday adopted a motion calling on the State Government, Commissioner of Police, Directorate of State Service, Commander, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, the Co-ordinator, Edo State Security Vigilante Network and other relevant security agencies to arrest the menace of kidnapping in Akoko-Edo, Esan North-East Local Government Areas in the state.
The resolution also urged Edo State Government to procure drones for surveillance of troubled areas in the thhree senatorial districts in order to curb the resurging kidnapping menace while also calling on the commissioner for Public Safety and Security to take preemptive steps towards the surveillance of the affected roads and communities in order to address security challenges.
The adoption of the consequential motion was sequel to the consideration of a motion of urgent public importance sponsored mainly by Hon. Donald Okogbe (member representing Akoko-Edo 2) and Hon.Maria Edeko, Deputy speaker (member representing Esan Northeast 2 ) and nine others.
Hon. Donald Okogbe in a motion seconded by the Deputy Speaker, Hon. Maria Edekor, said that about 15 persons have been kidnapped in different parts of Akoko-Edo Local Government Area and one killed, while five others are still missing to date.
He further said that the resurgence of kidnapping and criminal gangs in Uromi/Uzea in Esan Northeast local government area has made it practically impossible for farmers to go to their farms while traders and business owners who live in perpetual fear of being attacked, now close their shops earlier than expected.
“Some people were reportedly kidnapped at various times and locations in Uromi by armed gunmen and were only released after seven days in captivity while others have not been released,” Hon. Donald said.
“It is common knowledge that the kidnappers often requested for ransom, food, illicit drugs, recharge cards from families of kidnapped victims,” he added.
On her part, the Deputy Speaker, Hon. Maria Edeko, said that youths under the aegis of United Youth Association, recently protested and cried out to the government and security agencies to protect the people of Uromi from the menace of kidnappers.
The speaker, Rt. Hon.Blessing Agbebaku who also condemned the spate of kidnappings in the state noted that last month three women traders from Sabongida-Ora in her constituency were kidnapped, molested and killed after they were unable to pay up their ransom.
Lawmakers unanimously agreed that during the deliberations that urgent measures must be adopted to stem the menace of kidnappings in the state in order to restore the security of lives and properties in every nook and cranny of the state.
The House thereafter approved a resolution calling on the Edo State Commissioner of Police, Directorate of State Services, Vigilantes and other relevant enforcement agencies to deploy security forces to comb the bushes by mounting surveillance in the affected areas to prevent further mayhem on their people especially the herders camp around Uneme-Ayeroro / Sasaro and Uromi-
