The Senate has urged the Rivers State Government to immediately liaise with the security agencies in the state to stop the incessant killings and kidnapping of innocent citizens in the state.

The Upper Chamber also appealed to the Federal and the Rivers State Governments to develop workable strategies that would stop the rising cases of killings in the state.

This followed a motion raised by lawmaker representing Rivers East, Senator Andrew Uchendu, on the “frightening killings in Rivers State”.

Senator Bala Na’allah seconded this motion.

However, another lawmaker representing Kano North, Senator Barau Jibrin, opposed the motion, arguing: “I will say that Rivers State is very peaceful. Let’s call a spade a spade, let’s look back to understand the causes of this situation before we start proffering solutions.”

In his contribution, Senator Victor Umeh, representing Anambra Central, said: “I sympathise with the people of Rivers State, this crime continues to happen because we have not done anything about it. If we don’t find the people who do these things, parade and punish them, others will still do the same thing.”

The Senate however called on all sons and daughters of the state to work towards finding a lasting peace in the beleaguered state.