The Nasarawa State House of Assembly has expressed concern over increasing cases of kidnapping in the state, warning that the trend is turning Nasarawa into a haven for criminals.
Danladi Jatau, speaker of the house, raised the alarm on Wednesday after Solomon Akwashiki, member representing Lafia Central constituency, brought up the issue under matters of public interest during plenary in Lafia.
The speaker called on security agencies to enforce the anti-kidnapping law passed by the assembly to tackle the menace.
Jatau said: “Our resolutions are as follows: we call on the state governor to direct security agencies to beef up security across the state.
“Secondly, we are directing security agencies to use the law passed by this House to curb kidnapping. Thirdly, we call on residents to report suspicious movements, activities and individuals to security agents for action.”
Akwashiki had earlier lamented that the state capital was no longer safe, saying kidnappers were “on a rampage.”
“Mr Speaker, if Lafia is not safe, where else will be safe? These kidnappers are on a rampage, causing harm unhindered. We must rise up before it is too late. Our state is fast becoming a kidnapping den,” he said.
Daniel Ogazi, member representing Kokona East, criticised security agencies for not implementing the provisions of the anti-kidnapping law.
“The law passed by this House provided that if a kidnapper is arrested, he or she should be eliminated. This was working, but we don’t know what later happened,” Ogazi said.
Other lawmakers, including Suleiman Azara, majority leader of the house, Esson Mairiga (Lafia North) and Mohammed Omadefu (Keana), also urged security agencies to change tactics in the fight against kidnapping.