The Oyo State House of Assembly has condemned the recent kidnapping of a medical practitioner working with Baptist Medical Centre in Okeho, Dr. D.O Lawal and a young lady identified as Kafilat.
The victims were reportedly kidnapped on Sunday 23rd July, 2023 in a Micra taxi by unknown men along Okeho/Isemi road in Kajola Local Government of the state.
The kidnap case was brought before the Oyo State House of Assembly on Tuesday by a member representing Kajola State constituency, Hon Musibau Azeez (Action) in a Matter of Urgent Public Importance.
According to Hon. Azeez, “the rate of insecurity, especially kidnapping in recent times in Oyo State is alarming. It has become a matter of major concern that requires urgent attention. Despite the efforts of the administration of His Excellency, Governor Seyi Makinde in providing necessary logistics and support for security agencies to work with in making sure that crime is reduced to the nearest minimum in Oyo State, It is quite unfortunate and disturbing that some wicked elements are bent on destabilizing the peace and tranquility being enjoyed and also rubbish the efforts put in place by the Government from time to time.
“Aware that despite the frantic efforts of security agents, nobody could trace the whereabouts of the two victims and no phone call has been heard from the kidnappers to request for ransom or otherwise.”
“The unwholesome and negative occurrence has threatened the peace, security and economy of Okeho, Kajola Local Government and the state. If care is not taken, this may send negative signals to local and foreign investors who are willing to partner with Oyo State thereby having a negative effect on our economy.
“Observes that people living in Okeho in the Oke-Ogun area of the state now live in panic and fear, farmers are afraid of going to farm, people are afraid of being engaged in their daily business activities because of fear of being killed or kidnapped. Cases of such kidnapping were recently reported in the Iseyin area in Oke Ogun where people paid huge amounts of money as ransom to rescue their people from the hands of these nefarious individuals despite the hard times being experienced in the country.
“Concerned that lack of synergy among security agencies and poor surveillance could be the reason for the rise in insecurity especially kidnapping in Oyo State despite having a law in place prohibiting the act of kidnappings in the state,” Hon. Azeez said.
The House resolved with a call on the Commissioner of Police in Oyo State and other security agencies to urgently swing into action and secure the release of Dr D.O Lawal and the young lady identified as Kafilat.
The lawmakers also urged the Adhoc Committee on Security to expedite action towards organizing a Security Summit that would serve as a platform for all the security agencies in the state to deliberate on the security challenges and proffer necessary solutions.
The Oyo State House of Assembly equally called on the executive arm of government through the Ministry of Public Works and Transport to put necessary machinery in place towards the installation of CCTV cameras, security lights and other gadgets in strategic locations in the state in order to aid the arrest of crime perpetrators in the state.
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