NGE Decries Upsurge In Kidnapping

The Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE), has expressed deep concern over the upsurge in kidnapping across Nigeria, which has unfortunately become a national menace that has negatively impacted on the social and economic life of the country.

In a communiqué issued at the end of its fourth quarterly Standing Committee Meeting last Friday, in Yola, Adamawa State, and signed by its President, Funke Egbemode, and General Secretary, Victoria Ibanga, the Guild noted that the new dimension the vice has assumed was portraying the country negatively in the eye of the global community, with the potential of scaring foreign investors, at a time their contribution was crucial to revamping the country’s ailing economy.

The Guild further pointed out that attracting foreign direct investment was a critical factor in re-flatting the nation’s sagging economy, and noted that this will be gravely frustrated by the rising tide of kidnapping as no investor would stake his or her investment in an insecure environment.

While citing the abduction of the wife of the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Margaret Emefiele, former minister, Bagudu Hirse, a senior official of the NNPC, Reverend Father John Adeyi, some students and teachers in Lagos State, a female journalist working in Benue State, Iyuadoo Tor-Agbidye, among other abductions that have taken place, the Guild noted that kidnapping has unfortunately become almost a daily occurrence.

“In the light of these occurrences, the Guild urges the Federal Government to, as a matter of urgency, rejig its security apparatchik and develop a pro-active security strategy that will checkmate the menace. It is equally desirable for the government to urgently evolve anti-kidnapping measures and legislations, in order to combat the current wave of crimes and criminality in Nigeria,” the communiqué stated.

The Guild commended the initiatives of some state governments in setting up special squads with proven records of trailing, tracking and arresting kidnappers and, therefore, urged other states to take a cue from these success stories.

The Guild further recommended the strengthening of the justice system to engender speedy prosecution of kidnap suspects to serve as a deterrent to other criminally-minded persons.

“In the same vein, the Guild urges security agencies to be alive to their responsibility of providing adequate security to the citizens by weeding out from among them the bad elements who have the propensity to aid and abet criminals.

“At this present time, it will serve the government well to do the needful in arresting the rising wave of crimes and criminality, so as to ease the current pressures on the citizens and put the nation back on the path of peace,” the Guild added.

It also expressed appreciation to the government and good people of Adamawa State for hosting its fourth quarterly meeting, and urged them to continue in the good work they were doing to further development the state.

Nelson Chukwudi