Councillor Laments Upsurge Of Kidnapping

The Councillor representing Ward 2 in Opobo/Nkoro Local Government Area of Rivers State, Hon Arthur John-Africa has expressed worry over the upsurge in kidnapping across the country, which he said has become a national menace that is negatively impacting on the social and economic life of the nation.
Speaking with The Tide yesterday in Opobo Town in an interview on the increasing spate of kidnapping among other issues, John-Africa said the new dimension was portraying the country negatively in the eyes of the global community, with the potential of scaring away foreign investors at a time their contributions were crucial to revamp the ailing economy.
The lawmaker noted that attracting foreign direct-investment was a critical factor in reflating the country’s sagging economy and pointed out that it would be gravely frustrating if the rising tide of kidnapping was not checked, investor would stake his or her investment in an insecure environment.
While citing the abduction of the wife of Central Bank Governor of Nigeria (CBN), Mrs Margaret Emefiele, John-Africa noted that kidnapping had, unfortunately, become almost a daily occurrence.
Consequently, he admonished the President Muhammadu Buhari-led Federal Government to urgently rejig its security apparatus and develop a pro-active security strategy that would checkmate the menace.
According to him, “it is equally desirable for the government to urgently evolve anti-kidnapping measures and legislation, in order to combat the current wave of crimes and criminality in Nigeria”.
He, however, commended the initiatives of some state governments in setting up special squads with proven records of trailing, tracking and arresting kidnappers and admonished other states to take a cue from the success stories.
He also recommended the strengthening of the justice system to engender speedy prosecution of kidnap suspects to serve as a deterrent to other criminally-minded persons.
He assured that his administration would witness tremendous development of the ward in the current dispensation, but appealed for continued support to enable him deliver the dividents of democracy to the area.
John-Africa also promised to operate an open-door-policy, where all and sundry will contribute their quota.

Bethel Toby