Olu Samuel, Lokoja
The Lawmaker representing Yagba West in the Kogi State House of Assembly, Idowu Ibikunle has said that one of his Constituent identified as
Bukola Awo in Ejiba has been kidnapped.
Addressing a press conference in Lokoja on Tuesday, Ibikunle said the abductors of the girl are demanding N20Million for her to be released.
The lawmaker who was in tear while addressing journalists said, ” Some days ago, around nine o’clock, one business girl was Kidnapped in Ejiba. The gunmen shot sporadically into the air and took her to an unknown destination. I have been crying since then as I learnt they keep torturing the innocent girl in their custody. I am a father and am feeling the pains that girl who is from my constituent is passing through.
” The suffering is too much. We have raised about N7Million. They said until we complete the N20Million, they won’t release her. Up till now, the girl is still in their custody.
” The Police, vigilantes, and other security agencies have been struggling to secure her release but it has not yielded result. They don’t know their hide out”.
“Also, in Ejiba, Yagba West Local Government, on Tuesday 9th May 2024, kidnappers invaded the market in Ejiba, shot sporadically and kidnapped defenseless people, mostly indigenes of the local government, who have simply come to transact their petty business.
“This is different from an earlier, raid and kidnap of an illustrious son in his community weeks ago. Up till now, the victims have not been released. We are perturbed that most of the interior villages and forest in Kogi West Senatorial District have been overgrown and populated by herders, many of whom are of suspected herdsmen and some of whom are non Nigerians”.
He, however, commended the Kogi State Governor Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo for his pro active step in tackling insecurity in the State stressing that, more is needed to be done to ensure that those in captivity are release unhurt.
His words”What we have never heard about happening else where is happening in Kogi State. For a State to have SSA on security in every Federal Constituency is highly commendable. What happened in Osara is a wake up call. Immediately, the government took action and the Students have been released by their abductors. He is doing well.
” They have kidnapped many in the Northen part of the Country, and they have not been found. The issue of Chibok girls, train attack between Abuja to Kaduna is still fresh in our minds. As am crying out now, am very sure the Governor will do something to effect the release of the girl and other people in the kidnappers custody”.
The Kogi lawmaker urged the
State Government to further strengthen the State Vigilante Network, adding that, with the Federal Law enforcement agencies, concerted efforts will be taken to combat the menace of kidnapping.
“A law on kidnapping should be enacted by the Kogi State House of Assembly as it is done in other neighbouring State. This will bring about stiffer penalties for kidnapping. The State Government. should deploy more vigilantes to the interior villages and forests. I will also advise the government to conduct enumeration, profiling and issuance of identity card and storage of biometrics of the herders within the State” he added.