Delegates identify with Clark over son’s kidnap

Delegates at the plenary on Thursday drew the attention of the conference to the kidnap of Chief Edwin Clark’s son and the weekend’s massacre in Zamfara State.
Dr. Haliru Mohammed moved a motion for a message of felicitation be sent to the elder statesman, Chief Edwin Clark whose son was kidnapped but has now regained his freedom.

The motion was seconded by Senator Adefemi Kila, representing the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), who also added that urgent and decisive steps should be taken to stop the spate of killings across the country.
Haliru, a former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Acting National Chairman and former Defence Minister said:  “Unfortunately, we were seated here last week when we heard that the son of Chief Edwin Clark, one of our own elder statesmen in this conference was kidnapped.

“Some of us visited him and found him and his people very disturbed. Fortunately during the weekend, we received the news that Egbekeme Clark has been released safe and sound.
“It was good news to us all, but I will like to move that this house sends a message of felicitation to Chief Edwin Clark.
“ In Zamfara last weekend, about 120 people were massacred in one village.
“I want to appeal to government at all levels and security agencies to do something urgent and drastic to address this loss of lives which has become persistent in this country,” he said.

Seconding the motion, Sen. Adefemi Kila, representing the Nigerian Society of Engineers, stressed that insecurity has posed a serious challenge to the country.
He said: “Security matter is very serious and germane in this country. These kidnappers are not spirits, they live with us. I feel happy that Chief Clark’s son has been released without paying a dime. That means these kidnappers live with us and can be identified”.
Kila expressed dissatisfaction with the current approach to combat the menace and challenged the relevant authorities to step up the fight.