The Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures of Nigeria has commended security agencies over the release of the children of the Speaker, Kogi Stated House of Assembly, Mr. Jimoh Lawal, 53 days after they were abducted.
The children, Ogirima aged seven and Hafiz, aged three years were abducted from their father’s residence, in Okengwe, in Okene Local Government Area, since April 15.
The chairman of CSSLN and Speaker of Akwa-Ibom State House of Assembly, Mr. Samuel Ikon in a statement issued on Sunday evening in Abuja “commended the efforts of the security services and the Kogi state government.”
He also saluted President Goodluck Jonathan “on his efforts at confronting the current security issues in our country.”
While calling on all Nigerians to rise in support of Mr. President “as he finds ways of solving our present challenges”, Ikon emphasized that the unity and peace of Nigeria “must remain paramount on the minds and actions of our citizenry.”
The two children were set free about 7pm on Friday and had been reunited with their parents. It was however not clear whether ransom was paid and the amount.
The Kogi State Government had described kidnapping as an unacceptable act, and has warned culprits to desist and run away from the State.
Governor Idris Wada spoke when he visited Lawal, who had been reunited with his kidnapped two children.
Wada who was represented by his Deputy, Yomi Awoniyi, said the safe recovery of the children is a testament to the ruggedness of the support the present administration in the state has given the security agencies.
He assured of continued logistics support that will enable security agencies carry out their responsibilities of protecting lives and properties and for the citizenry to sleep with their two eyes closed.
