The rate of kidnapping in Kogi State
in relative and absolute terms is unarguably the highest in the country and this
makes the State easily qualify as the Kidnapping capital of Nigeria. In Kogi State, no
one is safe anymore as people are kidnapped for reasons ranging from economic,
political and personal grievances.Hardly a day passes in Kogi without
kidnapping leaving the
citizens in a perpetual state of fear and hopelessness.The disheartening tales of
kidnapping for ransoms ranging from mere airtime (recharge card) to millions of
Naira have become so common place as to deride even the most sinister of delinquencies.
The situation is not evenly spread
within the State. While the menace appears to be abating in the Central and
Western flanks of the State, the Eastern flank seems to have established an
industry and made a huge trade out of the despicable and cold-hearted
disorder. Kidnapping takes
place anytime and anywhere, in places of worship, on the streets, in the
hospitals, in homes and even in orphanage homes.The very unfortunate victims
lose their lives while the fortunate ones are liberatedafterhuge ransoms from relatives
and friends. So bad, it is now a common spectacle in places of worship for
people to either give testimonies or do thanksgiving in appreciation to God for
helping them through their ordeals in the hands of Kidnappers.
Several attempts made by Eastern Kogites, mostly the Igalas,to draw the attention of the Governments
at all levels and relevant stakeholders to their plights have been either
ignored, unsuccessful orstifled. From Itobe/Idah axis through
Dekina/Bassa to Ankpa, thehorribleaccounts of kidnapping have become a way of
life for the hapless and vulnerable citizens of Eastern Kogi who are
momentarily unable to live normal lives and commute without anxiety or
dissuasion.
When kidnapping berthedin Kogi State 2013, it
was like a minor irritation but because it was hugely ignored it has
metastasized into a flourishingtrade. Verifiably,the malady grew geometrically,
notching figures hitherto unheard and unseen in Nigeria’s kidnapping history. Some
say that the matter was made even worse by the wicked silence of political
office holders who used the kidnappers as thugs only to dump them after securing
electoral victory. Naturally, with guns and all sorts of arms at their disposal
and with some cover from beneficiaries of their carnage, it has become
impossible to stop them.
The first reported case of
kidnapping occurred in 2013 when one Mustapha was abducted from his residence
in Ihima, Okehi Local Government Area, of the state. Unfortunately, like
several other victims he was later found dead some weeks later. In August of
the same year, the younger brother of the former governor of the state, late Abubakar
Audu was abductedfrom his home in Aloma, Ofu Local Government Area of the State.
In September of the same year, the bursar of the Federal Polytechnic, Idah, was
kidnapped while his younger brother was killed in the process. The bursar was
released after three weeks following the payment of a ransom. In February 2014,
the wife and daughter of the former Chairman of Adavi Local Government, Salihu
Adaviruku were kidnapped from their home. The woman and her daughter spent over
three weeks in captivity before they were released after undisclosed ransom was
paid to the captors. In March 2014, two sons of the former Speaker of the State
House of Assembly were kidnapped from his residence in Okene and were released
after two days following the payment of ransom. In May 28, 2014, Hajia Hawawu
Bello, mother of the incumbent Governor of the State, Alhaji Yahaya Bello was
kidnapped from her Nagazi residence in Adavi Local Government Area.She was also
released after the payment of a ransom.
In 2014, the Rector and Registrar of the
Federal Polytechnic Idah, Mathew Akpata andAbu Kazim were abducted within the
premises of the institution. They were both released after the payment of various
ransoms. One of the most dastardly acts was the abduction of an 80-year-old
American Missionary, Rev. Phyllis Sortor, whichalmost resulted to an
international problem for Nigeria. It took the combined effort of the Interpol
and other security agencies including the DSS to secure her release. Upon her
release, she was swiftly conveyed to America with aundertaking never to return
to Kogi State again. Clearly, no investor or anyone who abhors pain or any form
of inconvenience will ever think of investing in the State considering that the
authorities appear to either be helpless or unwilling to do anything about the
menace of kidnapping in the State.
From 2015 to date, reported cases of
kidnapping have soared leaving one to wonder if the Government or the Police
truly exist in Kogi State. The situation of unresolved kidnappings as well as
the nonchalance of the police makes one wonder if there isn’t more to it than
meets the eye which is why quite a lot of people feel the police must have been
compromised and in fact are benefitting hugely from this menace.
The rate of kidnapping is so alarming that the Igala risk losing
a whole generation of youths that have taken to kidnapping as a means of
livelihood and have in fact formed unions, organisations and associations to
train interested, unengaged, unemployed youths most of them graduates up to the
Masters level. Little wonder the level of sophistication that they kidnappers
bring to their operations and management.
While the frustration of victims, their relatives and friends is
understandable, it must be put on record that the ill-equipped police force is
doing all it can within the limits imposed by equipment and well-trained man
power. Just
last month, the Nigeria Police arrested three members of a notorious gang
involved in kidnapping people in various parts of Kogi State.A statement by the
Force Public Relations Officer, said the suspects were arrested at Egume and
Anyigba Towns in Dekina Local Government Area of Kogi State were they have been
terrorising the citizens.
It stated that the operatives were led
to the hide-out of the gang by a leader of the gang, who identified himself as
Ibrahim Nasarawa.Nasarawa was said to have led the police officers to the place
where a man identified as Edward Abutu Amedu was held captive.The names of the
arrested kidnapers are: Ojonimi Negedu, Awodi Ezekiel and Michael Sule.
The Police in Lokojathis year also rescued three students of the
KogiState
Polytechnic kidnapped during a Christian fellowship programme. While in
captivity, he said, their abductors called their parents and relations to
demand a N20 million ransom for their release. The students were rescued after
spending three days with their abductors.
Also, two months ago, the police Command in
Lokoja paraded 23 suspected kidnappers arrested from Ejule, OfuLocal government
area of the state. Six guns, including AK47 rifles, locally made guns, bullet
proof vests, charms, ammunition, weeds suspected to be Indian hemp and a Ford
Galaxy bus with registration number Oyo AH 5095 HK were recovered from them.
Nonetheless, no
fewer than 1000 persons have been kidnapped with various ransoms paid, without
any serious arrest let alone a visible determination to eradicate the crime.
Where there have been arrests, the abductors are soon set free to return to
their “trade” and even hound those who gave information about them to the
authorities.
The kidnappers live
in our societies, communities, towns and villages and the truth is most of them
are known. These communities are manned by community leaders, religious leaders
and traditional leaders and it is surprising that everyone is acting as if the
kidnappers are either ghost or from outer space. Everything considered, the
unabashed nature of the kidnapping menace in Kogi East is a stirring indictment
of the leadership of the Eastern flank of the State and reveals the “I-don’t-care”attitude
and the “me-myself-and-I” syndrome of the leaders. Ironically, even the leaders
have been highly impacted by the strings of kidnappings as they and their
relatives have become prime targets for the abductors.
Piqued by the incessant rate of kidnapping, the
administration of Governor Idris Wada, the State Government placed N5m reward
for anyone who volunteered information towards the arrest of any kidnapper who
had laid siege to the State.
The rate of kidnapping in the state has
reached its crescendo. If nothing is done, the battered image of the State will
plummet from bad to worse. No one is safe. Fear reigns all over the State to
the extent, at a point, the State Commissioner of Police was rumoured to have
been kidnapped
The Governor, whoseMother was a victim,
said immediately after his inauguration on January, 27,that he would swing
into action to arrest the crime rate in the State through an effective mobilization
of the security agencies in the State as well as through a strategic alliance
that makes crime unattractive in Kogi State.
That is yet to be seen in the
face of rising anxieties about the escalating rate of kidnapping in the State.
At the moment, there is intense apprehension
and palpable fear so much so that it is more now an issue
of when and not if there would be another victim. Individuals in the state now
live in fear as they and their family members are the target of the kidnappers,
who hold their victims and use them to negotiate for huge ransoms. Every
victim’s family always pays huge sums as ransom to secure the release of their
loved ones making the “trade” lucrative for the perpetrators and co-travellers
which include the police, vigilante group and traditional leaders.
No comments:
Post a Comment