As stated by Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar, the kidnappers are always ahead of government. So, government should embrace technological advancement. One recalls how the ministry of communication and Digital Economy,under the former minister, Isa Ali Pantami, came up with NIN-SIM link policies. The aimed of the policy is to create and provide a comprehensive database of registered Nigerians. The database can help our security with necessary information about nigerian whenever the need arises.
The menace of kidnapping for ransom has gradually moved to the seat of power with supersonic speed. It is unarguably to say, kidnapping has resumed a frightening dimension with many family members being kidnapped on daily basis while their entire savings go for the payment of hefty ransom. In the last two decades, kidnapping has become a lucrative business for criminals who made billions of naira out of it. All efforts to nip the menace of kidnapping into bud has defied solutions. One is visibly disturbed on why the nefarious activities continue to rise despite the government repeated assurances to curtail it. Going back to the memory lane, the genesis of kidnapping particularly in Katsina, Zamfara,Niger and Kaduna states was purely mismanagement of cattle rustling and illegal mining activities by the government. These crimes suddenly transformed into booming kidnapping industry as the results of infiltration by bad eggs. Besides, some powerful forces or cartels are being accused for sponsoring the ungodly acts for financial gains.
However, the presence of dare devil kidnappers in Abuja, making negative brisk businesses did not come to us as surprise. The serene Federal Capital Territory( FCT) shares boundaries with bandits infested states of kaduna and Niger. Many communities in those states were overrun by rapacious bandits. Whether kidnappers have relocated to Abuja due to the massive onslaught they suffered from our gallant security officers as reported by the heads of security or not,many rural communities in Kwali and Abaji Area councils have been under the siege of kidnappers or suffering in silence. Until the kidnapping of six siblings along with their father, Alhaji Mansoor Al-badriyar,in Sabagi estate, Bwari, that attracted mixed reactions,many kidnapping cases have been under-reported in FCT. The kidnappers of Al-badriyar’s family who killed the elder daughter,Nabeela, over inability to pay ransom of 60millions have jerked up the ransom to 100millions after realizing efforts are being made to pay include crowd funding. The posers begging for answers are: what has attracted kidnappers to Abuja,the seat of power? Are these criminals underrate the FCT security architectures? Will government wake up from it’s deep slumber and realise these kidnappers mean business? It is high time government reviewed its security strategies for optimum results.
The war against kidnapping and other sundry crimes can be won if government leverages on technology development. Recently,the Director General National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), stated that the commission will work in collaboration with NCC and other security agencies to address the menace of kidnapping in the country.
This is good development. The war against kidnapping goes beyond conventional method where security officers go around to apprehend criminals. As stated by Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar, the kidnappers are always ahead of government. So, government should embrace technological advancement. One recalls how the ministry of communication and Digital Economy,under the former minister, Isa Ali Pantami, came up with NIN-SIM link policies. The aimed of the policy is to create and provide a comprehensive database of registered Nigerians. The database can help our security with necessary information about nigerian whenever the need arises.
Though, the NIN-SIM link policy had recorded substantial success,it was later abandoned due to the hue and cries that trailed it. The re-introduction or continuation of the policy will go along way towards assisting security personnels to identify and apprehend kidnappers with relatively ease. Our telecommunication companies; MTN, GLO,ETISALAT and ZAIN should barr any line not link with NIN. Moreover,the speculation of some banks aiding payment of ransom should be verified and necessary action taken. Government should wield a big stick against any financial institution that is complicit in the collection or payment of ransom. The brave and audacity with which kidnappers operate in Abuja call for expediate actions. If Abuja can become a hotbed for kidnappers,it means nowhere is safe.
IBRAHIM MUSTAPHA PAMBEGUA, KADUNA STATE, 08169056963