Emir of Keffi’s mediation reduces kidnapping in Nasarawa State

The Emir of Keffi’s brokered dialogue between authorities and a wanted kingpin, Buju Bazamfare, has led to reduction of kidnapping in Nasarawa State. The dialogue brokered by the Emir, Alhaji Shehu Chindo Yamusa and Nasarawa State government, police and the kidnap kingpin has led to reduction of kidnapping in the state. The emir, who recently […]

The Emir of Keffi’s brokered dialogue between authorities and a wanted kingpin, Buju Bazamfare, has led to reduction of kidnapping in Nasarawa State.

The dialogue brokered by the Emir, Alhaji Shehu Chindo Yamusa and Nasarawa State government, police and the kidnap kingpin has led to reduction of kidnapping in the state.

The emir, who recently marked his fourth year on the throne, was quoted as saying he is a royal father to all and would not relent in ensuring that he enhanced and sustained peace through dialogue for the benefit of all.

Governor Abdullahi Sule said when he visited Inspector General of Police Muhammadu Adamu who hails from the state that the kidnap kingpin will soon surrender himself and arms to the authority.

A source at the emir’s palace in Keffi, who prefer anonymity, said the peace meeting was held at the palace recently and it was attended by Governor Abdullahi Sule, the state Commissioner of Police Bola Longe and the kidnap kingpin, Buju Bazamfare.

The source said people, even in the palace, did not know about the confidential meeting until the governor made the disclosure in Abuja.

Most of the people spoken to said the rate of kidnapping, especially in Toto and Nasarawa local governments, has reduced in the last two weeks.

It could be recalled that the Sarkin Fulanin Nasarawa, Alhaji Walid Jibrin, said his relation was kidnapped and the family contributed money for his ransom and that a business man who deals in petroleum, popularly called Jasper, was also kidnapped and paid ransom for his freedom.

The people of Toto said, nobody was spared, as even petty traders and patent medicine store owners were kidnapped especially in Udege in the local government area.

Similarly, the drop in kidnapping rate in Nasarawa may not be unconnected with the rising spate of kidnapping along Abaji-Lokoja highway, as Toto shares boundary with Abaji in the FCT and Bassa local government in Kogi State.

The exact date the kidnap kingpin will finally surrender to the authority is not known.

In his reaction, Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Ramhan Nansel, said “Due to consistent planning and execution of crime mitigation strategies by the Commissioner of Police, Bola Longe, kidnapping has drastically reduced in the state as a whole.

He said there is sustained onslaught against the criminals, through interfacing and cooperation with the members of the public via community led policing.

“We are really taking the fight to all criminal hideouts. Buju Bazamfare knows his end is near hence your assertion, to refrain from crime, surrender himself and arms to the authority.”