Reps urge security chiefs to tackle kinapping, sea piracy

The House of Representatives has urged the chiefs of Army and Naval Staff and the Inspector General of Police to tackle kidnapping and sea piracy along waterways in Ogbia Federal Constituency of Bayelsa.
The call was sequel to a motion on the need to take urgent steps against sea piracy and kidnapping in the area, moved by Hon. Sodaguwo Festus-Omoni on Thursday in Abuja.
Leading the debate, Festus-Omoni told the house that sea piracy, kidnapping and other related crimes along the waterways and towns in Ogbia constituency were alarming.
She added that lives and property had been lost due to the activities of the kidnappers and sea pirates.
Festus-Omoni said: “In recent past, sea pirates unleashed mayhem at different locations and towns in Ogbia federal constituency, especially in Anyama, Ogbia town and other villages.
“These unwholesome attacks, which were reported in both electronic and print media, are perpetrated in broad daylight while some in cover of darkness.
“Survivors are currently receiving treatment from various degrees of sustained bullet wounds in various medical outfits.”

She further said criminals were still operating freely and without effective challenge by the law enforcement agents, adding that police stations closed work once at 7:30 p.m.
Festus-Omoni emphasised that if the criminals were not apprehended, more lives would be decimated and property  would continue to be destroyed.
The house, therefore, urged the security chiefs to deploy personnel to beef up security in the constituency, especially on the waterways.
The Committees on Army, Navy, Police and National Security and Intelligence were mandated by the house to ensure compliance.