The lawmaker representing Yewa North and Imeko-Afon Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives and Chairman, House Committee on Financial Crimes, Hon Kayode Oladele,  has called on the federal government to classify kidnapping as an act of terrorism.

According to the federal lawmaker, the time has come to bring the dastardly offence under the Terrorism Act to serve as a strong deterrent to others contemplating such crimes.

Oladele, who stated this in Abuja while speaking to newsmen last night also called for the immediate release of Senator  Iyabo Anisulowo  from captivity.  Senator Anisulowo who is also a former Minister of State for Education, was kidnapped at gun point on Wednesday 27th April 2016, while on her way back from her farm in Ilaro area of Ogun State.

Condemning the act, Oladele noted that Senator Anisulowo who recently turned 65 years is “being held against her will and denied access to critical medications lack of which could undermine her health conditions”.

He therefore, called for her unconditional and immediate release.  Oladele further called upon the law- enforcement and security agencies not to relent in their efforts to comb the nooks and crannies of the State and its environs to secure her safe release from the hands of her abductors.

Justifying his call on the federal government to classify kidnapping as an act of terrorism,  Oladele   noted that in light of the high rate of kidnappings across the country, it was time for the Federal Government to clamp down hard on this crime by classifying it as an act of terrorism punishable under the Terrorism Act.

He added that in this era of the federal government trying to boost Nigeria’s economy and project the country as a haven for investment and tourism, the frequency of kidnapping is bound to discourage potential investors and tourists.

He said, “The development will be detrimental to the nation’s economic recovery.  If you check the websites of some foreign countries, they advise against travel to Nigeria because of our security challenges. Security of lives and property is the government’s first calling and we should make sure it remains our top priority.”