Kidnap furore in Abuja

Last weekend, residents of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) were thrown into a state of panic following a message which went viral on social media. The message indicated that five persons were kidnapped, at different locations, right in the city centre within 48 hours.  The viral message   named the abducted persons as Abubakar Alkali, a […]

Last weekend, residents of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) were thrown into a state of panic following a message which went viral on social media. The message indicated that five persons were kidnapped, at different locations, right in the city centre within 48 hours.  The viral message   named the abducted persons as Abubakar Alkali, a lecturer with Baze University who was taken within the vicinity of the institution; Aisha Umar Ardo, taken by her abductors at Asokoro area and was released only after a ransom of $15,000 was paid to her abductor in bitcoins; Mrs Hannah Azubuike, kidnapped near Habiba Plaza in Maitama and two teenagers who were allegedly picked up while returning from an Islamiyya school in Wuse Zone 6.

Though the police only confirmed two of the incidents, residents of Abuja were in panic mode, with people making frantic calls to friends and relatives, urging them to stay safe.  This was not the first time kidnapping was happening in the FCT. Daily Trust on Sunday reported that between January and now, over 30 persons were kidnapped in Abuja. Residents  were however rattled because of the number and time frame within which the kidnaps allegedly occurred.

Following the scare, FCT Police Command issued a statement saying the territory was not under siege as being insinuated. Its spokesman, DSP Anjuguri Manzah, said there were no rampant cases of kidnapping in Abuja. He said, “The command wishes to reassure the public that the Federal Capital Territory is safe and the police have reinvigorated their crime fighting strategy to ensure the protection of lives and property in the FCT.”

A few days after, FCT Minister Malam Muhammed Bello met with heads of security agencies, after which he assured residents of their safety. The police commissioner also used the opportunity to disclose that security across the territory had been beefed up with more deployment of officers and men.

Whether the figure was two or six, the point is that such should not have occured at all, especially in the FCT, once thought to be the safest place in the country. Efforts must be made by security agencies to quell  the fear in residents. It is not enough to say that Abuja is safe; the fact that some state governments are making efforts to rid their states of kidnappers, the criminals may be scouting for new territories to ply their trade and would go to any place where security is relaxed.

It is commendable that the police immediately ordered more deployment of men. However, there is a need to review the Stop and Search operation so that it achieves the purpose for which it is meant. The searches should be thorough without infringing on the right of citizens. Already, unnecessarily long queues are being seen at Stop and Search points, especially at night. There should be constant monitoring of the men on the roads so that they do not unduly make life more difficult for residents. The searches should also be decentralised so that the security agents do not just stay in the city centre. Roads leading into and out of the FCT should also be policed.

FCT authourities should also revive the stalled CCTV project. It is sad that a project which gulped billions was never put to use. CCTV cameras would have greatly helped to tackle the crime rate in the territory. Functional street lights would also aid security.  Right now, some Abuja streets are in total darkness at night, a boon for criminals.

Furthermore, those caught should be properly punished. Almost on daily basis, police parade suspected kidnappers after which nothing is heard about them. An example should be made out of them to send a serious message to other aspiring kidnappers and criminals.

Residents should also adopt some personal security tips, such as avoiding late nights except where absolutely necessary and avoid accepting lift from strangers. Parents should also monitor the movement of their wards, as much as possible.