By David Lawani
Following the spate of kidnapping and banditry in Akoko Edo local government area, the Edo State House of Assembly has called on the state government and security agencies to as a matter of urgency activate their various operational units and work in collaboration to secure the safe return of all kidnapped victims including pupils of Gloryland International School, Igarra in Akoko-Edo Local Government Area of the state.
The house also appeals to security agencies to increase their presence in Akoko-Edo Local Government Area and possibly set up a response team there, being a local government at the border line of two other states making it highly vulnerable.
More so, this resolution was sequel to a matter of urgent public importance moved by the member representing Akoko-Edo 11 Constituency, Mr. 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 told the house that kidnapping had become rampant in the locality and narrated how a member of a family who was going to pay a ransom for the release of his family members was also kidnapped.
Mr Agbaje thereafter solicited the support of the members of the house to wade into the matter with a view to putting an end to incessant kidnapping in the area as well as rescue the kidnapped pupils whose whereabouts were still unknown as nobody had been contacted on their behalf.
Also lending his voice, former deputy speaker and member representing Akoko-Edo 1 Constituency, Right Hon. (Prince) Yekini Idaiye took the time to narrate many residents of the area who had fallen victim to a kidnapping in the locality.
He said that they had been trying their best to support vigilantes and hunters in the fight against insecurity but their efforts were not enough.
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He stated that the level of insecurity in the local government was biting noting in confusion that it was the oldest local government in the country and most underdeveloped and should not be allowed to go into extinction.
On his part, the Deputy Speaker, Mr. Roland Asoro said it was disheartening that the people of Akoko-Edo were learning how to sleep erect because of the state of insecurity.
He stressed further that it is 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 of the house, Mr Marcus Onobun who said he was saddened by the state insecurity directed that clean copies of the resolution be given to relevant authorities for immediate action.
