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Stakeholders and inhabitants of Kogi East Senatorial District yesterday expressed grave concerns over rising cases of kidnappings witnessed in the zone in recent times.
Daily Trust on Sunday reports that areas such as Idah, Anyigba, Ankpa, Egume, Ejule, Alloma and Dekina, amongst others have recorded upsurge in the rate of abductions of both high and low profile personalities.
A resident of Idah, Danjuma John, who described kidnapping as ‘alien’ to Igala land, called on security agencies to rise to the occasion in nipping the menace in the bud.
He lamented that the Ajegwu-Idah road is no longer safe for travelers due to incessant cases of kidnapping along that axis.
“Not long ago, Mr Timothy Salihu, a Judge of the Upper Area Court, Idah and Mr Aliyu Okeme, a retired Inspector of Area Courts were abducted at gunpoint on Idah-Lokoja road and undisclosed ransoms were paid to secure their release two days later”, he said.
He added that two Auditors who were on their way to Idah for an official assignment were also abducted along Ajegwu-Idah road recently.
Our correspondent reports that amongst those abducted in recent times was a mother of a serving commissioner in the state, who was kidnapped from her home at Ejule in Ofu local government area of the state.
Speaking on the development, a stakeholder from the area and State Chairman of Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), Mr Ibrahim Itodo, expressed worries over the rising wave of kidnapping which he said has subjected people to constant fear and trauma.
“It is proper at this time to call on security agencies to beam their searchlights on activities of these elements, who are terrorizing our people. We also appeal to our people to join hands in fishing out those behind this evils in our land”, he said.
Acting Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Ibrahim Idris recently deployed a Special Strike Force to Kogi State in a bid to combat kidnapping and other forms of crimes.
“The deployment of the Special Strike Force becomes imperative as the Nigeria Police Force can no longer watch innocent citizens suffer in the hands of dreaded criminals rampaging within Kogi State and its environs,” he said
But residents said security agencies in the state need to step up surveillance in order to curb the rising activities of criminal elements that have been holding people to ransom.
Credits: Itodo Daniel Sule / DAily Trust
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