The Kogi State House of Assembly has called on Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo to strengthen security measures around all tertiary educational institutions in the state. This call comes in response to recent student abductions from campuses by criminals.
The resolution was reached following the adoption of a Motion of Urgent Public Importance moved by Hon. Asema Baba Haruna (APC-Adavi) during a plenary session in Lokoja.
Haruna, also the Chief Whip of the House, condemned the abduction of 24 students from the state-owned Confluence University of Science and Technology (CUSTECH), Osara. He emphasized the need for immediate action to prevent such incidents from recurring.
“It is high time we beefed up security around our schools to avert a repetition of what happened in Osara,” Haruna stated. “The government should construct perimeter fencing in all our schools to stop these hoodlums from kidnapping our students.”
He further urged the Governor to motivate security agencies for their efforts in combating insecurity in the state.
Echoing Haruna’s sentiments, Hon. Idowu Ibikunle (ADC-Yagba-West), the Minority Leader of the House, emphasized the urgency of enacting stricter laws against kidnapping. He highlighted the need for perpetrators to face severe consequences for their actions.
“We are appealing to the Kogi state Government to make a stiffer law against kidnapping,” Ibikunle said. “By doing this, whoever is caught in kidnapping will dance to the music.”
Many legislators supported the motion, urging security agencies to revise their surveillance and operational strategies to address insecurity effectively.
In his ruling, Speaker of the House, Hon. Aliyu Umar Yusuf (APC-Lokoja II), commended Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo for his commitment to tackling insecurity. He emphasized the need to apprehend kidnappers and ensure they face the full force of the law.
“We want all the kidnappers to be apprehended and made to face the full wrath of the law,” Speaker Yusuf stated. “Kogi State can never be a breeding place for these criminal elements who are enemies of the State.”
Additionally, the Speaker called on the State Government to support the establishment of a State Police force to address the ongoing insecurity challenges.
The motion was overwhelmingly adopted by voice votes in its favor, demonstrating the unified commitment of the Assembly to address security concerns in the state.
