Policeman, five persons killed, 30 kidnapped in Zamfara in one month
The House of Representatives on Tuesday raised the alarm over rising incidents of kidnapping in Zamfara State, calling for the deployment of more soldiers in the state to bring the situation under control.
The House asked the Ministry of Defence to deploy additional troops in Zurmi and Shinkafi Local Government Areas of the state, particularly Gurbin Bore town, a border town with Niger Republic.
The resolution was passed after a member from the state, Mr Abubakar Hussaini-Moriki, moved a motion to alert the House to the kidnapping of about 30 people in the last one month alone.
Hussaini-Moriki said on the night of October 26, for example, bandits invaded Gurbin Bore, killing a policeman and five other persons.
He informed the House that the unknown attackers also razed 17 shops, houses and burnt 13 vehicles.
The motion of urgent national importance, read partly, “No fewer than 30 persons were kidnapped in the last one month, including two minors of 10 and 11 years of age, and two female twins of marriage age, recorded in Dauran, Moriki, Binin Tsaba, Kabaka, Dorayyi etc.”
The resolution was passed just as the Speaker, Mr Yakubu Dogara, condemned the alleged assassination attempt on the Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, his wife and son by unknown persons on Tuesday morning.
The Speaker called on security agencies, especially the police, to provide adequate security for all Nigerians ahead of the 2019 general elections.
He expressed concern that the assassination attempt, which occurred at Ekweremadu’s Apo Legislative Quarters’ residence, suggested that nobody was safe in the country.
A statement by his media aide, Mr Turaki Hassan, quoted Dogara as saying, “There is no room for excuses anymore. The security agencies must be alive to their responsibility of securing the lives and property of Nigerians. This is unacceptable.
“The police must ensure that the gunman and all those involved are not only apprehended, but brought to justice.
“As the 2019 elections draw closer, it is of utmost importance that the police and other security agencies deploy their intelligence to forestall wanton killings and other violent acts that are programmed to cause fear and panic among Nigerians.
“These incidents must be nipped in the bud before they get out of hand. I commiserate with the Ekweremadu’s family and pray that God will continue to keep them safe.” Punch
