From Sola Ojo, Abuja
Since the escalation of deadly banditry from Zamfara State to other North West states, including Kaduna, Katsina, Sokoto, Kebbi, and Niger State in the North Central a decade ago, people resident in this once peaceful political region have been subjected to painful experiences in the hands of these merchants of death. Many have been killed, maimed, raped and kidnapped for ransom in several attacks.
In Kaduna State, the government and residents have lost count of major kidnapping incidents in local government areas like Giwa, Birnin Gwari, Chikun, Kajuru and Kachia. These include community attacks, school invasions, highway abductions, train attacks and abductions.
Many residents have adjudged the barely 14-month-old administration of Governor Uba Sani to have been more peaceful than the entire eight years of his predecessor, Nasir El-Rufai, who failed to pay attention to grassroots engagement.
In 2021 alone, the Kaduna Government Annual Security report released through its Ministry of Internal Security and Home Affairs revealed that 1,192 persons were killed by bandits and other violent groups in the state, while 3,348 others were kidnapped.
Now, the bandits appear to have resorted to profiling influential but not necessarily rich persons and their families, hence breaking into houses at about 10pm. Well armed, they sometimes scale the fence to carry out their nefarious activities unchallenged.
Already, trust in law enforcement and the justice system is low, as the majority of Kaduna residents do not feel protected from criminal activities in their homes.
The fact that the kidnappings are targeting homes that were previously considered safe and secure is particularly alarming and poses a serious threat to the state in terms of attracting local and international investors, if the madness is not urgently nipped in the bud.
The most recent incidents involved a magistrate with her four children. Her 14-year-old first son was unlucky as he was gruesomely murdered in captivity right before his mother over delay in the payment of ransom. Similarly, a senior comrade was picked, followed by the abduction of two journalists and their families.
Reacting to the development, spokesman for the Northern Elders Forum (NEF), Suleiman Abdulazeez, decried the return of the ugly scenario of kidnappings in townships and targeted homes. He described it as “a terrifying development” that must not be taken lightly.
According to him, “the resurgence of this pattern of kidnapping also underscores the fact that crime gangs have identified a significant weakness in the political and law enforcement system that they are exploiting for their gain.
“The sophistication and organised design of these kidnappings suggest that they are being carried out by criminal elements who are well-funded and well-trained.
“The fact that these criminals feel emboldened to carry out such brazen acts of violence and intimidation suggests that they believe they can act with impunity and that the chances of being caught and punished are minimal.
“When criminal elements feel free to operate without fear of retribution, it creates a climate of fear and mistrust that can erode the social fabric of a neighborhood.
“So, the return of house-to-house kidnapping underscores the need for a comprehensive and coordinated approach that includes intelligence gathering, community engagement and targeted law enforcement operations to effectively address this growing threat.”
For the immediate past chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Kaduna State, Rev. Joseph John Hayab, the return of house-to-house kidnapping is like the resurgence of suicide bombing in Kaduna State and other states in northern Nigeria.
He said: “The new cases showed that the bandits have studied and realised that the majority of the people, including our government and security agencies, have become complacent, thinking all is over. We have started celebrating a victory that has not yet been won.
“It is sad that the latest victims are from important institutions (judiciary and media), which shows the bandits took their time to plan before executing their evil agenda.
“This is a nightmare we should not allow to repeat in our state and community. How will our people cope with poor leadership and hunger in every home and every city with the fear of kidnapping again?
“The federal government and our security agencies must triple their efforts before citizens are pushed to the wall. A hungry man is known to be an angry man but what will happen if his anger and hunger are further threatened by serious security threats?”
He suggested that “all stakeholders must come out to mobilise the people to support government and security agencies to fight evil in the state.
“We should not only be specialists in mobilizing our people to vote for our preferred candidates during elections and fail to mobilize them to contribute their efforts to make our state secure, safe, and peaceful.
“Kaduna State youths should stand with our governor to stamp out bandits and every evil from our state. If you truly see something and know something, please, say it, because our religion and culture teach us to love and protect our neighbours.”
President-general of the Arewa Youth Consultative Forum (AYCF), Yerima Shettima, said on general grounds there is improved peace and security in Kaduna State in just one year into the leadership of Governor Uba Sani, compared to of eight years El-Rufai, due to the approach taken by the former in addressing the issues.
“For example, Uba Sani is focusing on community engagement and dialogue by way of engaging various stakeholders in the state, including traditional rulers, religious leaders and community members, to address the root causes of conflict and promote peace-building initiatives.
“What that means is that, by involving the local communities in the decision-making process and seeking their input on security issues, he has been able to build trust and cooperation, which has contributed to a more peaceful environment in the state.
“However, the resurgence of kidnapping in the dimensions we have it now, in addition to previous bitter experiences, calls for serious action from those saddled with the responsibility of protection of life and property because it may eventually overshadow any developmental stride recorded at state and federal levels,” he said.
Recently, Commissioner of Police for Kaduna State Police Command, Ali Audu Dabigi, told reporters that the command was committed to the safety of lives and properties of people residing in the state.
The police boss called on residents to always avail the command with information of suspicious activities before the criminal elements in their midst execute their nefarious plans.
“We remain committed to serving and protecting the people of Kaduna State with integrity and professionalism,” he said.