Kogi House of Assembly has raised the alarm over the influx of mentally ill persons from other parts of the country into the state.

In a motion of urgent public importance, the member representing Ajaokuta State Constituency, Abu Onoru-Oiza Jibrin, said the disturbing development required urgent attention.

He claimed: “Without doubt, there has been a disturbing surge of individuals perceived as deranged and rejected persons wandering the streets in Okene, Lokoja and few other places. Recent reports indicated that these individuals were brought in from Edo State.

“We are aware that these individuals are being increasingly exploited by criminal elements. It has become evident that some nefarious actors, including kidnappers, have adopted the tactic of disguising themselves in garments and behaviours suggestive of mental instability.

“This deliberate impersonation is intended to deceive the public and law enforcement agents but allows the criminals to operate undetected. We are concerned that the disguised culprits-in-waiting leverage their appearances to blend into communities, thereby complicating efforts to identify them and neutralise their harmful activities.”

While acknowledging the critical role of government in safeguarding the welfare and rights of citizens, particularly those who are vulnerable, including individuals with mental health challenges and other forms of disabilities, the first-time lawmaker argued that the state government had a dual obligation, in such circumstance, to provide adequate care, support and rehabilitation for these individuals, while simultaneously upholding its responsibility to ensure a secure, orderly and safe environment for the general public to foster public trust in government and ensure social stability within the state.

Seconding the motion, the member representing Bassa State Constituency, Sunday Daku described the motion as timely stressing that the government must do appropriate profiling of those coming into the state.

Bode Ogunmola of Ogori Magongo State Constituency is of the view that the development remains a dangerous trend that must be nipped in the bud.
The Speaker, Umar Aliyu Yusuf, asked the sponsor if he had evidence, and responded in the affirmative, drawing his attention to the huge presence of criminals on the streets of Lokoja and its environs.