Kwara To Review Laws on Kidnapping, Human Rituals

The Kwara State House of Assembly is to review laws on kidnapping and human rituals to ensure severe punishment for culprits in the State.

The House resolved to review the laws following a Matter of General Public Importance raised by the House Leader  a member representing Esa/Shawo/Igboidun Constituency  Hon. Hassan Oyeleke on the rampant cases of kidnapping for ritual in the State.

The Speaker, Dr Ali Ahmad while reading the resolutions of the House on Wednesday said the reviews of related laws became necessary to ensure that punishment prescribed by the existing laws were severe to serve as deterrent to others, stressing that punishment in the current laws was weak to tackle the current security challenges  in the State.

He urged the House Committee on Ethics, Judiciary and Director Legal Department to take a look at the current laws and report to his office within a week.

The House while equally urging the security agencies in the State to design security architecture to nip the problem in the bud, enjoined the State Government to give necessary support in tackling the menace.

Other members who spoke on the menace enjoined Parents, Traditional and  Community Leaders to play complementary role in tackling the problem by sensitising and exposing suspected kidnappers in their localities .

The Legislature also in its sitting urged the State Government, Traditional Rulers and Religious Leaders to initiate effective mass mobilisation programme through public awareness, enlightenment and sensitisation ahead of the forthcoming National Population Census.

The House took the decision following a Motion on Notice raised by a member representing Ilorin North West Constituency Hon Abdul Rafiu Abdul Rahman.

The House also directed its Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Judiciary to meet with the management of the National Population Commission in the State on its preparation for the forthcoming census in the State.

Hon Abdul Rahman had while raising the Motion, noted with displeasure that past census had been characterized by complaints in view of its attendant socio-economic and political implications and called on the relevant House Committee to interface with the National Population Commission in the State on its preparation for the exercise with a view to addressing the inadequacies of the past census.