Stakeholders laud Kwara Assembly on responsible legislations as House conducts public hearing on secret cult, kidnapping bills

The Kwara State House of Assembly has been commended for being a responsive and responsible House that is attuned to the needs of the people.

This was the submission by the majority of the stakeholders who attended the public hearing on the amendment of the Secret Cult and Secret Societies (Prohibition) and the Kwara State Prohibition of Kidnapping bills at the Committee Room 213, Assembly Complex on Monday, June 23rd.

The stakeholders, who spoke in sessions during the hearing, praised the House under the leadership of Speaker Rt. Hon. Engr. Yakubu Danladi-Salihu for taking bold steps to strengthen the anti-secret cult and secret societies and kidnapping laws in the state.

In a statement signed by Sheu Abdulkadir Yusuf, mnipr, CPS to the Rt. Hon. Speaker, KWHA, they also commended the lawmakers for demonstrating competence and capacity to represent the people.

While supporting the passage of the two bills, stakeholders urged the House to reconsider parental failure, drug abuse, and peer influence as factors contributing to cultism and kidnapping.

Earlier, House Leader Hon. Abdulkadir Oba Magaji, representing the Speaker, assured that stakeholders’ input would be considered and incorporated before the passage of the bills.

The bills are being amended in response to recent attacks and threats in parts of the state to enhance security for Kwara citizens and residents.

The Secret Cult and Secret Societies bill, passed nine years ago, and the Kwara State Prohibition of Kidnapping bill, passed fifteen years ago, require retooling for effective administration and to make these crimes less attractive.

The public hearing, chaired by Hon. AGF Salau, Chairman of the House Committee on Ethics, Judiciary, and Privileges, witnessed active participation from various stakeholders, including the Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Education, Human Capital Development, Commissioner of Police, and the Commandant of the Nigerian Security Civil Defense Corps.

Other attendees included the Nigerian Bar Association, Vigilante Group of Nigeria, Kwara State Community Policing, Al-Hikmah University, University of Ilorin, Parent Teacher Association, National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools, Coalition of Kwara North Group, and the Youths Movement for Kwara Development.

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