Kogi Assembly Raises Alarm Over Rising Cases Of Organ Theft

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

The Kogi State House of Assembly has urged the state administration to act quickly to stop the growing number of incidences of organ theft and the lynching of innocent people.

The house also requested that the police conduct a thorough investigation and apprehend those responsible for organ theft in Lokoja, the state’s capital, as well as throughout Kogi State.

The appeal follows a resolution of urgent public concern made on Tuesday by Hon. Bin Ebaiya Shehu Tijani, a legislator from Lokoja I State Constituency.

Shehu bemoaned the growing instances of male organ theft that were being committed using magical abilities and superstitious embodiment.

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.