Kogi Assembly raises alarm over rising cases of organ theft

The Kogi State House of Assembly has called on the state government to take proactive measures in curbing the increasing cases of organ theft and lynching of innocent persons.

The house also called on the police to investigate widely and arrest perpetrators of organ theft in Lokoja, the state capital, and Kogi State in general.

The call is the sequel to a motion of urgent public importance moved by the lawmaker representing Lokoja I State Constituency, Hon. Bin Ebaiya Shehu Tijani, on Tuesday.

Shehu lamented the alarming cases of male organ theft perpetuated by means of superstitious embodiment and magical powers.

While expressing worries about the ugly development, the first-time lawmaker told his colleagues that false claims and actual theft have been recorded, and the victims of false claims are getting lynched.

“We are disturbed by the claim of innocence in some cases, particularly the case of an okada man whose passenger shouted and accused the rider of organ theft and was immediately lynched without investigation at Felele by passers-by, and such other instances are serious causes for concern.

“We are also aware that few individuals were caught and had confessed their crimes. Few others were arraigned and are now being prosecuted for such crimes. Yet the cases of organ theft are on the increase daily.

“Beating, maiming and lynching of innocent individuals over crimes they never committed should be the reasons for our legislative intervention,” Shehu said.

Seconding the motion, the Deputy Chief Whip representing Kabba/Bunu Hon. Bello Oluwaseyi, told the house that cases of organ theft in the last week have been on the increase in Kogi State, adding that both the government and security agencies must take proactive steps to avert crisis in Kogi State.

The speaker of the house, Rt. Hon. Umar Aliyu, told security agencies to do their work in maintaining law and order to avert chaos in Kogi State.

Meanwhile, the house has approved the nomination of Hon. Yahaya Ade Ismail and Barr. Alfred Bello as Commissioner and board member of Kogi State House of Assembly Service Commission, respectively.