Still On Kidnapping In Nigeria

Kidnapping is now a serious problem in Nigeria infringing on the right of people. The 1999 constitution (as amended) prescribes certain rights, including that of movement and association. Ironically, people have become mere articles of trade and are kidnapped at will for ransom. It has now become a regular thing to hear news about the abduction of people in the country.
Apart from individuals, there were two other major cases of mass abduction involving the Chibok girls and the Dapchi school girls by the Boko Haram Islamic fundamentalist sect.
Kidnapping in Nigeria is not a new thing only that recent cases take frightening dimension and stopping it has become a great challenge to the country.
The problems with education, corruption, unemployment and terrorism have made Nigeria become breeding ground for kidnapping and transnational crimes. It is a national problem that has eaten so deep into the tissues of the nation. Kidnapping has become a life- threatening ailment. Nigerians who are involved in this ugly business find it difficult to quit.
Kidnappers now see kidnapping as a business that can never be stopped by any government in Nigeria.
There is the need to reform the legal and judicial system to ensure strict compliance with the relevant laws relating to kidnapping and related offences is a must if the eradication must be achieved.
The law must be seen as adequate, effective and with the power to sanction or punish without fear of intimidation from low or highly placed individuals in the society.
Trial cases involving kidnapping should be expedited and publicised adequately.
The important thing is that the guilty must be punished in accordance with the principles of supremacy and rule of law.
One of the greatest problems of Nigeria in recent times is Boko Haram.
The kidnappings carried out by this sect have drawn the attention of both local and international organisations and rubbished the image of the country.
Due to the high unemployment rate in most states of the country, some youths engage in kidnapping for survival.
Aside the kidnappings ascribed to Boko Haram in the North East, there have also been reports of abductions in the Southern part of the country. The escapades of late ‘Osisikanku’ and his notorious gang in Abia State made headline stories on newspaper cover pages. Lagos State also recorded its fair share of abduction of innocent people, including school children. In fact, there is hardly any state in Nigeria that was spared this wicked experience.
Kidnap victims have not been restricted to the rich and their relatives; church clerics, market women, farmers, youth corps members and civil servants have become regular targets. And this prompts one to wonder if money is indeed the main motive behind this dastardly act, after all.
There have also been many cases of kidnapping In Nigeria that are politically motivated.
According to the Criminal Code Act C38, there is a penalty for kidnapping a person in Nigeria. That law clearly explains that kidnapping is the abduction of any person in Nigeria and possibly demanding ransom.
Poverty rate in Nigeria is another great failure on the part of the Nigerian government.
When people are desperate, they do not think about the lives of others.
Like the Latin phrase goes Homo homini lupus est which means “Man is a wolf to another man,” when people have almost nothing to eat and cannot provide for their families, they are ready to commit crimes. They find themselves into kidnapping because they are no longer happy with their own condition. Sometimes, they believe that one successful kidnapping will fetch them the money they need to start a clean business.
Poverty pushes many citizens in doing immoral things which is why government needs to provide jobs and other means of livelihood.
Nigerians engaging in kidnapping should have a rethink as the act has led to loss of so many lives and frustrated many families.
As it is, Nigerians need reorientation on having productive ventures which education and conducive business environment can provide.
A society where corruption is customary is likely to experience a high level of kidnapping.
The truth is that when any government indulges in corruption by embezzling public funds, citizens react negatively by engaging in vices.
In fighting kidnapping, security agencies need to be sincere and apolitical in the discharge of their duties.
When law enforcement agencies are actively involved in crime detection and prevention, incidence of crime is lessened.
The only way to stop this menace is to provide jobs and stable means of livelihood to all Nigerians by creating enabling environment for business to thrive.
Olowu wrote in from PH.