Speaker State of Osun House of Assembly, Rt. Hon Timothy Owoeye on Tuesday said that the Osun kidnapping and other related crimes (prohibition) bill 2020 will compliment efforts of the Amotekun Corps when fully inaugurated.
The Speaker at the public hearing on Osun Kidnapping and other related crimes prohibition Bill 2020 stated that it is imperative to have an enabling laws to ensure quick and diligent prosecution of kidnapping offenders.
Owoeye pointed out that ever since the issue of Amotekun Corps, there has been a downward trend in the cases of kidnapping in Osun and other South Western States.
He held that the 7th Assembly under his watch is reviewing the existing laws on kidnapping which recommended 14 years jail term and would be reviewed to death penalty.
The Speaker added that should the bill scale through the needed stages, people caught with human parts and kidnappers whose victims die in the process of the Kidnapping will face death sentence as against imprisonment that was obtainable before now.
Owoeye noted that with the way kidnapping seem to be becoming lucrative, it is sacrosanct that laws with severe consequences be put in place to avoid many Nigerians becoming kidnapping target.
In his words, “Ever since the issue of Amotekun came up, I have noticed a downward spiral of kidnapping in Osun and other South West states, however I am more afraid of the surge in ritual related cases.
“The whole country was saddened at the gruesome murder and dismembering of 23-yr old favour oladele, a 400l LASU student, for money ritual purposes. We as osunites are more embittered that the killing took place in ikoyi town, our own soil.
“We as parents and community leaders must begin to re-orientate our young ones on this prevailing get-rich-quick syndrome, there is no shortcut to success, the only road I know of is preparation, hard work, patience and perseverance”.
Chairman Osun Civil Soiety Coalition, Comrade Waheed Lawal advanced reasons for government at all levels to re-double their efforts in making job available for employable youth stating that it would go a long way to reduce the crime rate.
Police Community Relations Committee Chairman in Osun, Comrade Amitolu Shittu commended the 7th Assembly for championing the crusade of bring sanity to the society.
Shittu opined that the bill should include that any kidnapper found guilty of female sexual assault and harassment should be jailed for 50 years.
In her remarks,All Progresaives Congress (APC) women leader, Alhaja Kudirat Fakokunde admonished parents to ensure peoper monitoring of their children this she would assist in the campaign against kidnapping and other related crimes.
Other stakeholders including security agencies, Vigilante Group of Nigeria, Hunters group and others make submissions during the hearing.
They also called on President and governors of states to sign death warrants as delay may lead to denial of justice.
