The Nigeria House of representative has decried the kidnappings of traditional rulers in Nigeria.
This followed a motion of Urgent National Importance brought to the floor of the house by Hon Solomon Mareng from Plateau state.
He said that the attacks and kidnappings of traditional rulers have been systematic and coordinated.
The member said that bandits numbering dozens invaded Panya community and abducted the district head of the community, Da Aminu Dalwang, after shooting sporadically.
He said that the kidnap of the district head is the latest in the series of abductions targeted at traditional rulers and clergymen in Plateau state.
“Concerned that the spate of kidnappings, abductions and attacks have been systematic, well coordinated and targeted across the constituency, the state and the country is alarming and of great concern. Also concerned that bandits are usually having a field day in carrying out and in perpetrating this heinous activity without any form of resistance, challenge and or confrontation by security agents. Concerned that hitherto, little or nothing has been heard of any serious other deliberate actions taking to forestall or even arrest and prosecute these hoodlums. Worried that unless something is done deliberately or in fact urgently to reduce, stop or curtail these ugly occurrences, our communities will soon be thrown into total terror, fear or lawlessness” He said.
He urged the house to call on the federal government through the Inspector General of Police to immediately do everything possible to secure the safe release of the traditional ruler and other Nigerians in captivity across the country.
Confirming the incidents, the Deputy Speaker, Hon Idris Wase, said that Plateau state has lost a lot of human and material resources to bandits.
” I want to tell you and inform the house that I have lost close to five persons in my constituency. Even after these kidnappers take money, they will take the ransom and still kill the person. Some days ago, we lost close to a thousand cows. They rustled the cows and went away with them”. Wase said.
He said that it was heartbreaking that all the resolutions by the House to put up formations in the trouble areas, nothing has happened.
” I’m worried because it’s like our resolutions are just mere statements that we are making.” He said.
He noted that peace needs to be restored to Plateau state for neighbouring states to have peace.
In his amendment, Hon Muhammed Mungonu, called on state governments affected by insecurity to adopt the “Borno Model” by forming vigilante groups to tackle insecurity in their domain.
“My amendment or additional prayer is that states that are affected by the insecurity problems should form Vigilante groups with the support from their respective state government and also arm them with lighter weapons having gotten clearance from the office of the National Security Advice”.
In his reaction, the speaker described the incident as “a serious matter”. Mungonu said.
The Speaker of the House of Representative, Hon Femi Gbajabiamila, described the incident as ‘’ A very serious Issue”
He noted that clearly, insecurity affects all parts of the country.
He ruled that the affected state governments should employ the services of local vigilantes.
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