Despite efforts by security agencies to tame insecurity in Nigeria, kidnappers are becoming deadlier in their operations. Contrary to their usual styles of targeting the high and mighty in the society, findings by The Point have revealed that many of the downtrodden have been languishing in the dragnet of daredevil abductors across the country......See Full Story>>.....See Full Story>>
In the past, expatriates, the rich and their family members were easy targets. However, recently, it has been discovered that Nigerian kidnappers no longer segregate who to kidnap. It could be anybody, including those without kidnap value and who could barely feed their families satisfactorily.
While some have been able to gather millions of naira that are ransom being demanded by the gunmen through community contributions and public fund raise, others have not been able to meet up with their huge financial demands for their freedom. Hence, their continuous stay in precarious dens.
These kidnappers have been brutal in their dealings as they maim their victims even after collecting ransom.
In the last seven months, it has been a bazaar of kidnappings in Nigeria.
Compared to the rate of kidnappings in Nigeria before the emergence of President Bola Tinubu, the statistics showed a high increase in the rate of kidnappings after former President Muhammadu Buhari left office.
Recent data revealed that no fewer than 1,290 people may have been kidnapped in the country since the beginning of the year.
The figure was derived from an analysis of Nextier’s Nigeria Violent Conflict Database reports, published between January 1 and June 22, 2024.
Nextier is an Africa-focused multi-competency public sector advisory firm which provides weekly reports in a database that collates media-reported violent conflicts across Nigeria.
Earlier this year, some civil society groups, under the aegis of the Civil Society Joint Action Group, said no fewer than 17,469 Nigerians were abducted between 2019 and 2023.
This was even as the Executive Director of the Civil Society Legislative and Advocacy Centre, Auwal Rafsanjani, said insecurity had persisted in the country, with 24,816 Nigerians killed and 15,597 persons abducted throughout the two terms of President Buhari.
Nextier’s insecurity database also revealed that about 800 people were kidnapped between July 2023 and December 2023 under the current administration.
This implies that the number of kidnapped victims has increased by 490, which is 61 per cent more than the number of victims abducted during the last six months of 2023.
In May this year, 10 people were reportedly killed and at least 160 other villagers kidnapped from a remote community in Niger State.
A large number of armed men suspected to be from Nigeria’s militant Islamist group Boko Haram, invaded Kuchi village at night and kidnapped helpless villagers, most of whom were women and children, while those killed included local hunters who were providing security for the area.
The gunmen reportedly rode into Kuchi on motorbikes and even spent time cooking food, making tea and looting houses before leaving more than two hours later.
No fewer than 25 persons have been reportedly kidnapped in August, this year alone.
The Commissioner for Youths Development in Anambra State, Patrick Aghamba, and his wife were kidnapped while the commissioner’s aide, whose name was given as ABK Offiah, was allegedly killed in the process.
It was learnt that they were travelling to Abuja, when they were kidnapped along the way last Friday.
That same day, more than 20 medical and dental students, along with a house officer, were kidnapped by gunmen in Benue State.
The students were travelling to the Federation of Catholic Medical and Dental Students (FECAMDS) annual convention in Enugu when they were ambushed around 5.30pm in the Otukpo area.
The victims are reportedly from the University of Maiduguri and the University of Jos.
The bandits have demanded N50 million ransom for their release.
The Benue State Police Command spokesperson, SP Catherine Anene, who confirmed the development in Makurdi, said the students were travelling together in two buses when they were intercepted by some criminals after Otukpo town and were taken to an unknown destination.
They gave the names of the affected victims to include; (1)Boniface Tizhe, (2)Thomas Yahaya, (3)Gabriel Jita Iwev, (4)Boniface Okon, (5)Dondo Fabian, (6)John Bitrus Naga, (7)Fortune Chima Umeh, (8)Godwin Gregory Tumba, (9)Monica Ejembi, (10)Ogbonna George Chukwuebuka.
Others are ; (11)Paul Nyampa Zira, (12)Lawrence Victory Adaugo, (13) Okopi Peter, (14)Enger Benedicta, (15)Kwaghaondo Aondona Kingsley, (16)Paul Shantong and (17)Victoria Cornelius, as well as (18)Pius Samson, (19)Okan Adara and (20)Dr. Luis Mmbamonyeukwu a House Officer.
But on Saturday, one of the students, Kwaghaondo Aondona Kingsley, manoeuvred his phone and alerted the public by posting a desperate message on his X account.
In his tweet, Kingsley revealed that the group of students had been without food for two days, and called on the government and families of victims to intervene for their immediate release.
“We were kidnapped on our way to Enugu for a convention. They are requesting N50 million for the 20 of us medical students.
“Please help us; we haven’t eaten for two days. Contact Pius at 08163420157—he is coordinating the funds,” said one of the kidnapped victims who tweeted from the kidnappers’ den.
“They said they would start killing us tomorrow,” Kingsley said.
Meanwhile, some Nigerians have demanded a quick fix of the kidnapping spree.
A security professional, Akin Adeyi, called on President Bola Tinubu to do more in galvanizing service chiefs and other security agencies in tackling massive insecurity in the nation.
“I want to call on our President, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, being the Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces to wake up and demand results from the service chiefs he appointed. We cannot continue like this. Nigerians are in panic and no one is safe. We cannot be in hunger and still be thinking of paying ransom.
“All the security agencies should collaborate and fight this menace together. It is high time insecurity is seen as an urgent national emergency that needs to be given the seriousness and attention it demands,” the former Director of the Department of State Services said.
A public affairs analyst, Tunji Adebare said insecurity persists because some government officials are aiding it.
“We cannot continue to shy away from the fact that insecurity has become a venture and if truth must be told, some government officials are the ones supplying weapons to these wicked souls who go on highways abducting innocent citizens. So, security agencies should beam their searchlight among political actors who are sponsoring this kidnapping business if we really want it to end,” he said.
Kidnapping incidents have been worsening even after the Nigeria Police Force procured advanced tactical equipment to enhance its tracking capabilities as part of efforts at curbing the surge in kidnappings across the country.
Police spokesperson, Olumuyiwa Adejobi had said Nigerians could discourage kidnapping of victims if they desist from paying ransom.
Adejobi had said the police had been educating Nigerians on the danger of paying ransom.