Kidnapping has become the road nightmare
Kidnapping instill fear, anxiety and psychological trauma as people these days avoid road transport, and prefer to travel by plane or train, especially along Kaduna-Abuja-route, because of rising kidnapping menace that looms large. As the kidnapping takes place, the victim will remain in the custody of kidnappers’ enclaves while they demand for ransom from the […]
Kidnapping instill fear, anxiety and psychological trauma as people these days avoid road transport, and prefer to travel by plane or train, especially along Kaduna-Abuja-route, because of rising kidnapping menace that looms large.
As the kidnapping takes place, the victim will remain in the custody of kidnappers’ enclaves while they demand for ransom from the victim’s family. Thus, unless the ransom demanded by the kidnappers is granted the victims cannot regain freedom. It is surprising how in this dire economic straits, in an institution like Nigeria such ‘often said’ large amount of ransom the perpetrators demand be granted.
And one funny part of the story is that even when the kidnapper’s demands are met, they ask for more, usually to the tune or half of the paid ransom so that they secure the release of the victim. We are a butt of jokes.
It appears stranger than fiction that the ransom these kidnappers often demand are in bulk of millions of Nigerian Naira, usually in tens of millions and sometimes in hundreds of millions Naira, in this most trying moment of turning around the economic fortune of the country.
The crime goes aghast and gravely dire, as it does not only aim at targeting vulnerable citizens, business tycoons, politicians, prominent figures, monarchs among others, but anybody that dares the kidnappers inhumanly nature. No one has the assurance today, to embark on travelling by road and their lives would be guaranteed safe, without encountering any tragic fate.
But what do we imagine if such demands are not met by victim and their family? Yes, a lot could be said, as regard the ordeal the victim’s life would be embroiled by, after their families have failed to meet the ransom demand. And one needs not to be told the kind of torture the victim’s life would be subjected to, after the inability of their family members to meet the kidnappers’ demand.
The worse and the final consequence is death, after the unsuspecting victim had suffered all tortures, starvation, shocks, hysteria etc., at the hands of the merciless gangs. So sad, disheartening and heart wrenching is the story!
At a time the situation seemed to have been under control, it resurfaces and become stronger. You can’t predict what happens next.
It is barely one week now since one citizen was reported to have fallen into the trap, along Kaduna-Abuja road. And thereafter the captors asked his family to pay ransom so that they secure his unconditional release. But unfortunately it just left much to be desired as his family failed to cooperate with the kidnappers.
It is only in dramatic films such ransom long for could be granted and seen giving out without hesitation, to dramatic ruthless villains, because the victims love their dear lives.
The Kaduna-Abuja road is the most dangerous and deadly route, where the kidnapper’s hideouts are situated deep inside the thick forest. And it is the only route that is being used frequently by eminent and wealthy Nigerians, who travel to FCT in their flashy cars from far places and passing through Kaduna.
This perhaps incites the perpetrators to intercept the expensive vehicles of these wealthy Nigerians who pass through the route from their homes to FCT or back to their homes and kidnap them for ransom.
As the situation worsens, people board the train for Kaduna-Abuja and Abuja-Kduna trip, which is safer, convenient and the cheapest means of transport.
We are pleading with the Mr. President to end the menace of kidnapping that is perpetrated in the Nigerian high ways, especially that of Abuja-Kaduna route.
Ahmad Hussaini Baffa wrote from Hadejia [email protected]