By Christiana Ekpa
The Niger State House of Assembly has called on the state government to set up or designate a special hospital for handling victims of banditry and kidnapping.
The members of the House passed this resolution following a motion presented during plenary by Haruna Duza of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), representing Munya constituency.
The lawmaker explained that victims of banditry and kidnapping usually pass through physiological and mental trauma due to the violence they suffered at the hands of the bandits.
Lamenting the situation, he noted that after securing their freedom, victims live in fear for the rest of their lives, and for some of them, adjusting back to normal life becomes very difficult.
Duza said:” Aside from giving them swift medical attention, they need professional counselling in a secure environment to help them overcome the trauma.
“There is a need to have a dedicated hospital centralised within the state capital that will give special attention to victims of banditry and kidnapping.”
Mohammed Idris (Tafa, APC), in his contribution, recalled his suffering at the hands of bandits and the trauma he experienced after his abduction in 2021.
Appealing to his colleague, he stated: “Let us give the motion the desired attention and focus on the need for the executive to designate a special unit in the state to give special attention to victims of bandits and kidnappings.”
Consequently, the House passed a resolution on the need for the state government to establish or designate a special hospital for the treatment of victims of banditry and kidnapping in the state.
