By Dada Ahmed in Lokoja.
Sen. Sunday Karimi.
(C) Google.
Senator Sunday Karimi, representing Kogi West Senatorial District, has declared his intention to seek spiritual solutions to the growing menace of kidnapping in the area. This, he said, would involve mobilizing religious leaders under the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and the Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI) for a joint three-day fasting and prayer programme.
The Senator, in a statement issued to newsmen in Lokoja and made available to The Reporters on Monday, said the increasing frequency of kidnappings across Kogi West,especially in communities spanning Lokoja, Kakanda, the Bunu axis, and Kiri in Kabba-Bunu Local Government Area—had become intolerable.
Karimi lamented the gruesome killing of Major Pastor Joe Ajayi (rtd) by kidnappers, describing it as a clear sign that the region was under siege. He noted that even the traditional ruler of Okoloke remains in captivity, which, he stressed, highlights the gravity of the insecurity.
“Our people now live in constant fear. Kidnapping has become a daily reality in Kogi West. This is unacceptable,” he said. “There must be a coordinated and urgent response from security agencies, but beyond that, we must also turn to God.”
According to Karimi, the planned spiritual programme will bring together Christian and Muslim leaders for a united front in prayers to seek divine intervention.
“The time has come for us to seek God’s help,” he declared. “These miscreants have made it impossible for our people to breathe or live freely. I am putting machinery in motion for this spiritual intervention because our safety is no longer guaranteed.”
The Senator described the late Pastor Ajayi as a “perfect gentleman” deeply committed to the growth and development of Kogi West. He expressed sorrow over the clergyman’s tragic death and offered prayers for other victims still in the custody of kidnappers.
Karimi extended his heartfelt condolences to the family of the deceased and prayed for God to grant them the fortitude to bear the loss.
Our correspondent recalls that while reeling out his achievements for his constituents,for the past two years in the Senate, on Saturday at the NUJ Press Centre in Lokoja, Senator Karimi called for constitutional amendment for the establishment of state police to effectively tackle kidnapping and other instances of insecurity in the country.
He also disclosed that he built the state-of-the-art Forward Operating Base (FOB) for the Nigerian Army,the first of its kind in North Central Nigeria. Located in Egbe, Yagba West Local Government Area of Kogi State, to check insecurity in the area among other security measures.
Edited by Dada Ahmed.
