Follow Us on Google
The crime of kidnapping is not new in Nigeria. It is one crime that our youths copied from foreign movies and crime books. The history of kidnapping can be traced to the Nigerian civil war when proliferation of firearms was at its peak. Despite efforts to mop up the firearms, activities of politicians to illegally arm their private guards also increased arms proliferation and with the insurgency coupled with the Niger Delta militancy; the country became overwhelmed with easy arms finding their ways into the society.
The last public disarmaments by the late Yar’Adua and Obasanjo administrations were grand relieve to peace loving Nigerians and before our very eyes, was the capitulation of evil and the embrace of peace. It is with this outstanding and statesmanship like candor of these presidents and the review of security strategy of the past police administrations, that culminated to the outstanding drastic decline of kidnapping in the country at the time. It is therefore very unfortunate and disturbing that the country is once again bedeviled by this act of criminality known as kidnapping.
A journey from Lagos to Rivers, and from Abia to Enugu speaks of the same crime. The Northern axis of the county is not excluded from this malaise, yet it looks as if the present day security agencies are incapable of stemming this from the society. With increasing rate of criminality, the question on the lips of both security observers and ordinary Nigerians is, how can this be confronted and reduced from our society. Is the government doing enough in ensuring the security of its citizens as enshrined in the constitution? More appropriate is the question that is direct to the leadership of the police, Mr Ibrahim Idris. What are his game plans in ensuring a safe Nigeria?
Today, the economic recession has further strike more blows on the capability of the police most especially. The ability to rise up to the security challenges in the country is being detected by the low moral of flickers who are suddenly beaten by poor remuneration and poor welfare. With the increase in the downsizing of government and private companies, shut down of companies and flight of investors, it is apparent that things are not as rosy as it used to be. No wonder our youths have again found a cheap opening to make easy money by taking to kidnapping despite the pains and suffering kidnappers inflict on their victims, many still fall easy prey to them like innocent butterflies trapped effortlessly by spider’s web. Even those who had passed through the gory experience cannot fathom nor properly advice others on how to avoid the trap of kidnappers.
Kidnappers are frustrated and demented criminals who embark on such acts specifically for monetary gain. Over 70 per cent of the present day kidnappers are graduates of armed robbery and university cult members. There are two known types of kidnapping: the financial kidnapping, which ends with the payment of financial ransom and the political kidnapping which often times end with the elimination of the victim for the main purpose of political arm- twisting. Political kidnapping is also used by terrorists who often time abduct students or others, just for the purpose of exchange for their detained members. Most times, the financial kidnappers could happen sequel to sour relationship in business transactions. Three important items are very necessary for every kidnapping operation. They include fast means of transportation, availability of firearms and a hiding place, which may be in the forest, bush or uncompleted building. Their means of transportation depends on where the victim was picked up. A victim can be locked up in the booth.
If the victim was picked from his or her residence, a standby vehicle is usually positioned around the house for easy evacuation to their hideout. The vehicle could also be that of the victim. Most often, the person could be abducted from his or her car and after some kilometers away from the position of operation; the victim is transferred into another awaiting vehicle. The rear plate number of vehicle used for the operation is usually detached to evade easy identification by the police. Such vehicles are usually tinted to further conceal the person inside the vehicle. Kidnapped high profile personalities have been found to made their kidnap easy. It is advisable to communicate with their gate men to be at alert while approaching their house so as to avoid unnecessary waiting at the gate. (Use either walkie-talkie or phone to communicate your approach) Also, gate men or security guards should be advised not to allow loitering and illegal parking of unknown cars around the house. There is the need for the installation of CCTV camera. Security is a round the clock job because criminals work round the clock when on surveillance. Studies on the modus operandi of local kidnappers have shown that they carry out a lot of surveillance around their expected victim. Infact, they use any means to collocate information about the person they want to kidnap. Examples are Chief Mike Ezeikome, Chief Falae and other dignitaries. Most times kidnappers engage in other nefarious activities by kidnapping children of their main victims, just to draw attention to themselves and demand for a huge ransom. Whenever kidnappers carry out assassination it is either political, sheer assassination or that they are playing out a script for assassin. The recent case of Madam Ogo Omereji, who was abducted and killed in Igwebuike forest, Awara Community in Ohaji/Egbema Local Government Area of Imo State. While her body was decomposing in a shallow grave, her kidnappers after three weeks were still demanding for ransom. Eventually, they got a ransom of N510, 000 from the family after promising to release her.
The Commissioner of Police, Mr. Taiwo Lakanu, disclosed that the gang were merciless kidnappers operating in Owerri . Whenever kidnappers demand ransom, it is important that the security agencies, especially the police be contacted for further operational measures. Ransom is always the ultimate motive behind every kidnapping operation.
(To be continued)
CONGRATULATIONS!
Security File congratulates one of our avid reader, Jigawa State Commissioner of Police, Henry Fadairo, who was recently promoted to the enviable rank of an Assistant Inspector General of Police. Congratulations.
