Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Adeyemi Ikuforiji has hailed the Ogun State Police Command for successfully rescuing the former Anglican Primate of the Church of Nigeria, Dr. Peter Jasper Akinola, who was kidnapped on the Abeokuta-Lagos expressway on Tuesday.
Ikuforiji, in a statement by his media aide, Mr. Rotimi Adebayo, said he received news of the respected cleric’s kidnap with shock and sadness.
He said: “For a man of God of Dr. Akinola’s status to be kidnapped in broad daylight on Christmas eve is sad indeed. It is more worrisome that the kidnap was said to have been carried out by heavily armed youths. It was, however, a great relief when I received the news of Dr. Akinola‘s rescue by men of the Ogun State Police Command.
“We cannot thank God enough for making it possible. However, we must not lose sight of the fact that it has become necessary for us as a nation to tighten our security system now, more than ever before.
“While we must properly equip the federal police, the time has come to approve the take-off of state police. That is the way to go now with the worsening state of security in several parts of the country.
“State police will create job opportunities for youths in all states that embrace this novel idea. It is bound to positively impact the well-being of all Nigerians.
“Governments at all levels must put all hands on deck to create jobs for our teeming youths as we get set to enter a new year”.
Felicitating with Nigerians at Christmas, Ikuforiji said: “On behalf of myself, my family and my fellow legislators, I congratulate all Lagosians and, indeed, Nigerians for being alive to celebrate another Christmas.
“We thank the Almighty God for his mercies on us since the beginning of the year. I implore Nigerians to continue to live together in peace, irrespective of religion or tribe.
“I urge those in positions of authority to always put our people first in all that we do”, he added.
