Months after Kidnapping took centre stage in Yola, Fintiri fails to approve death sentence for kidnappers

Over six months after kidnapping took centre stage in Yola, the Adamawa state capital; Gov. Umaru Ahmadu Fintiri is still dragging his feet on sending anti-kidnapping bill to the Adamawa state house of assembly for stiffer sanctions against kidnapper.

In October last year, kidnappers struck at the fufore road in Yola south and took away six persons. They were released after days in captivity upon payment of a ransom. The trauma of that violent encounter still lingers among all persons. Before then, eight residents of Girei were violently abducted and taken to the mountains. They were also later released, perhaps after the abductors had received a ransom.

Indeed, there were other cases of kidnappings which did not catch the big headlines in Yola and across the country. In some cases, the kidnappers would collect the ransom after killing their victims and many victims have also been known to suffer heart failure during the encounters. Their bodies are usually buried in shallow graves by the criminals. Those who are lucky to return from the captivity of kidnappers tell horrendous stories of torture, starvation and humiliation. In a few cases, the police were able to arrest the criminals.

Last week over half a dozen civic groups in Yola called on the state government to frontally confront kidnapping. In their view, the era of denial was over. They listed the cases of different persons from 2019 who had been kidnapped in Adamawa and concluded that the government was not willing to publicly acknowledge the problem.

Recently, indeed, on Friday, from October last year to January, 2020, five persons, two members of staff of Moddibo Adamawa University, Girei, were kidnapped by armed men. In most, if not all the cases, these criminals demand a ransom which loved ones manage to raise and pay. So, for the kidnappers, it is an avenue to get quick wealth and, therefore, an attractive venture.

The scourge shot up recently on the failed attempt to kidnap Bishop Mike Moses, a former CAN chairman of Adamawa state in his residence which is a stone throw to Zone 3, in the state capital, a serving permanent secretary was also kidnapped and releases after ransom was paid.

The truth, therefore, is that kidnapping is now a major problem in Adamawa. It requires concerted efforts of all stakeholders in Nigeria. This is where intelligence gathering in a proactive manner becomes crucial. The criminals involved use their mobile phones to make calls before, during and after kidnapping their victims.

A synergy between the Nigeria Police and the network providers should provide a platform to track the scoundrels. The Federal Government should play a definite and coordinating role in this regard. An effective intelligence structure should be created in order to either nip the crime in the bud or arrest perpetrators of the crime.

The banks also have a role to play. Some of the huge ransoms paid by victims usually end up in the banks. Through proper monitoring, banks should be able to report to the appropriate authorities if a customer starts making cash deposits that are not generated by any known business transactions.

Also, with the proper infrastructure in place, people of suspicious character who suddenly start living above their means should be brought to the attention of the authorities. Kidnappers are human beings. They live in communities. They belong in families. In some cases, neighbours and friends suspect them but fear of reprisals prevents them from exposing the crooks.

With fear of kidnapping in the air, people are usually afraid to move around and exercise their God-given, constitution-guaranteed freedoms. For example, businessmen and women would live in perpetual fear as long as kidnappers carry out their criminal activities without fear of being arrested. Also, investors are likely to shun areas where kidnapping is frequent. This would have a terrible effect on the economy of the country, which is already in a recession.

While some States government’s adoption of the death penalty may be an unfashionable extreme measure, in the circumstance, the Federal Government and other state governments should follow suit with laws that will contain permanently the menace of kidnapping. Trials should not be tedious and unduly long. Witnesses and whistle blowers against kidnappers should be guaranteed protection as part of the efforts to guarantee the safety of citizens and halt the activities of kidnappers.

Speaking to our correspondent in Yola, the chairman Adamawa first initiative, Ibrahim Luka told this news medium that “It is regrettable that Governor Fintiri does not appreciate the urgency of the situation. The penal code used by the police against kidnappers in Adamawa is too slow.

There is  need for the governor to send anti-kidnaping bills to the state house of assembly,  as I speak to you everyday people are been kidnapped in Yola and the governor is hearing all this news without taking any practical step to end the menace of kidnapping for ransom. The Adamawa House of Assembly should look into the matter as a matter of urgent importance.” Luka Opined