The Oyo state House of Assembly has made move to address the spate of killing, kidnapping and other insecurities in the state.
This is coming following a Matter of Urgent Public Importance by the lawmakers representing Iseyin, Itesiwaju state constituency, Honourable Surv. Bamidele Adeola and Leader of the House, Hon Sanjo Adedoyin, member representing, Ogbomoso south state constituency.
Adeola while speaking said the people of Iseyin and its environs have been witnessing serious security threat adding that the residents and indigenes of Iseyin community have been living their lives in panic and could not sleep with their eyes closed because of the risen cases and spate of kidnapping in the area.
The second term lawmaker said cases of kidnapping had been reported where the families of the victims paid ransom to secure the release of their loved ones from their abductors.
He added that people in his area are now living in palpable fear of who might be the next target.
His words: “Mr. Speaker these horrendous incidents continue unabated. As the last count no fewer than five (5) cases of kidnappings had been reported where the families of the victims paid ransom to secure the release of their loved ones from their abductors. In short, people in the area are now living in palpable fear of who might be the next target.
“For example, in early 2022, one Alhaji wasiu Mamod popularly known as (Megeri) was abducted at his residence at sawmill area Iseyin and a ransom of Sixty Million naira (N 60,000,000.00) was reportedly paid to the abductor by the family. Eventually when the family secured his release after some months, the victim died.
“In the most recent times precisely on may 12th and early June 2023 one Mr. Rahmon Aralamo (a phone repairer) and seller at fire station, Oluwole Iseyin and a poultry farmer at Odo- ogba along Oseyin-Saki Road were victims of kidnapping. According to report in the community, the families paid millions of naira as ransom before they could secure their releases . This is very pathetic because aside from paying ransome the victims are usually subjected to seriuis torture by the kidnappers.
“The Rt. Hon Speaker, distinguished colleagues, you will all agree with me that, this is the experience of the most victims of kidnapping in Nigeria. This calls for serious concern for the constituted authority in the Stated and Nigeria at large.” Hon Bamidele said.
The House resolved to invite the Commissioner of Police, Amotekun Commandant and other heads of security agencies in the State for a security parley and to also brief the House on the State of insecurity in the State with a view to strengthening security architecture of Oyo State under Omituntun 2.0.
It equally urged men of Oyo State Security Network Agency codenamed Amotekun which is a local and indigenous security apparatus to collaborate with other security operatives in the area of surveillance and patrol of volatile areas, highways and community forests where the kidnappers use as hideouts to perpetrate their evil plans.
The lawmakers further urged the 10th National Assembly to, as a matter of doctrine of necessity, consider the decentralization of Nigeria security architecture and kick start legislative process of constitutional amendment which will allow for devolution of powers to enable the respective state Government handle security matters in their domain.
They called on the security operatives in Oyo State to re-double their efforts to abate the spate of insecurity and the menace of kidnappings, killings and other crimes across the State.
