By Abel Leonard/ Lafia
Governor Abdulahi Sule of Nasarawa state says it will Nail perpetrators who carry out rape and kidnapping crime in the state, adding that it is worrisome and a course for concern not only to the people of the State, but also the international community as a whole.
Sule made the call while flagging off a sensitization programme against kidnapping and rape across the state, at the Government House, Wednesday
Speaking on the theme of the event, “Kidnapping and Rape in Nigeria: Implications and Challenges for Economic Development in Nasarawa State, Sule, said his administration will do all it takes to ensure a favourable environment for economic activities to thrive in the state.
He described as worrisome the recent increase of kidnapping and rape cases in the state, which have continued to pose danger to human lives, and heightened fears among the people, with attendant negative implications, particularly on the girl child.
Engineer Sule however, noted that it is as a result of the situation that his administration signed into law in April this year, the Kidnapping and Rape Prohibition Act, which has since been gazetted, in order to curb rape and kidnapping offences in the state.
In his word “The law prohibits kidnapping and rape and further stipulated stiff penalties for violators, including death sentences in extreme cases, especially where the victims of kidnapping loses their lives,” he said.
He further emphasised that government will ensure full application of the law to stop people from committing or indulging in the both crime.
Sule commended security agencies operating in the state, for their efforts and resilience in the fight against crimes and criminality, which led to the release of kidnapped persons in the state.
He equally commended the Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism, for organizing the sensitization programme.
Reacting to End SARS protest in the state, the governor is calling on youths in the state to shun the ongoing protest, which he said, has taken a new dimension, resulting into loss of lives, and destruction of properties.
Engineer Sule further called on the youths to remain calm and not to get involved in the breakdown of law and order, as according to him, government is already on top of the situation.
Several resource persons presented papers on the way forward, especially on how to reduce the incidences of kidnapping and rape in the state.
Some of the speakers include, State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Associate Prof Abdulkarim Abubakar Kana, Emir of Lafia, HRH, Justice Sidi Bage (rtd), Commissioner of Police, Bola Longe and development expert and social activist, Dr. Nawani Aboki, among others.
