The senator representing Kogi West, Sunday Karimi, has raised concerns over the worsening security situation in Kogi State, lamenting that kidnapping has become an almost daily occurrence in the state.
Karimi made the remarks on Wednesday while contributing to a motion of urgent public importance sponsored by Abdulfatai Buhari at the Senate. The motion was prompted by the recent abduction of schoolchildren and teachers in Ogbomoso, Oyo State.
According to the lawmaker, kidnapping and banditry have grown into serious national threats that should not be blamed solely on the Federal Government. He stressed that all levels of government must play active roles in addressing the crisis.
Citing a recent incident in his constituency, Karimi revealed that armed bandits invaded Ayedun Bunu in the early hours of Monday and abducted about 28 residents. He noted that such attacks have become frequent in Kogi State.
The senator called on lawmakers to expedite action on proposed legislation establishing state police and forest guards, arguing that both measures would strengthen local security efforts.
He also urged state governments to invest more resources in supporting security agencies and empowering local governments, stating that the inability of local councils to function effectively has left many parts of the country vulnerable to criminal activities.
Karimi further advocated for the deployment of surveillance drones across the country, suggesting that state governments could fund and operate such technology to improve intelligence gathering and security operations.
According to him, a coordinated effort involving the federal, state, and local governments is necessary to effectively tackle the growing menace of kidnapping and banditry nationwide.