Mark Seeks Severe Punishment For Kidnappers

The Senate President, David Mark, yesterday renewed his call for stringent punishment for kidnappers to keep them out of circulation from other human beings.
This is contained in a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Paul Mumeh, in Abuja.
Anambra, Edo and Delta governments have already sanctioned the law prescribing death penalty for kidnappers, including destruction of their homes forthwith.
Mark made the call a funeral service at St. Mark’s Catholic Church, Abagana, Anambra, for late James Iloenyosi, who died in the hands of kidnappers.
Mark said: “The unabating cases of kidnapping are a big shame. If stringent measure is not adopted the perpetrators will not stop.
“It is a big challenge to all of us. Government is there to take responsibilities, but the community cannot absolve itself from basic responsibilities.
“These kidnappers live among us. It is, therefore, incumbent on community leaders to fish them out. Today, it is Chief Iloenyosi, who knows the next victim tomorrow.
“That is why everybody must vow to say enough is enough and no more to kidnapping in Anambra.”
In his remarks, Governor Peter Obi, promised that government would not rest until the last kidnapper was flushed out of the state.
To achieve this, Obi pleaded with the people, especially community leaders, to support and cooperate with government.
Responding, daughter of the deceased, Mrs Ogugua Agagbo, said the family had taken the incident in good faith, saying: “We are consoled that our father lived a life of service to the community which everybody attested to.’’
Meanwhile, Mark has urged all Nigerians to be combat-ready against terrorists ravaging the North-Eastern states of Borno, Yobe and Adamawa.
Mark was reacting to the latest attacks on Michika and Maiduguri in Adamawa and Borno, respectively last weekend.
He noted that the dimension of the renewed attacks had gone beyond human comprehension, but with cooperation and support of the citizenry we can salvage the situation.