Nigerians Express Concerns Over Rising Kidnappings As Yuletide Approaches

Nigerians Express Concerns Over Rising Kidnappings As Yuletide ApproachesAs 2024 draws to a close and Nigerians prepare for their end-of-year holidays, concerns are mounting over the ongoing wave of kidnappings on highways across the country.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The surge in kidnapping incidents has been exacerbated by the skyrocketing prices of flight tickets, making air travel unaffordable for most Nigerians. In response to this alarming trend, Amah A. Amah, the Director General of the African Writers’ Centre in Lagos, has urged the Federal Government to take immediate action to curb the escalating kidnappings, particularly along major highways. Amah proposed the establishment of a “Forest Guard” to address the growing insecurity.

He highlighted the North-South corridor as a hotspot for kidnappings, with numerous incidents reported throughout the year. “Traveling from the South to Northern Nigeria has become so dangerous that passengers now pray before embarking on these journeys, as there is rarely a week without a kidnapping incident on this highway,” Amah stated.

He recounted several recent cases, including the abduction of 14 passengers traveling with the God is Good Motors (GIGM) on November 30, 2024, between Obajana and Lokoja in Kogi State. The kidnappers demanded a staggering N100 million ransom for each passenger. Another incident occurred on February 3, 2024, when 12 passengers of GIGM and two from ABC Transport were abducted along the same highway, with reports suggesting that the ransom demand reached N15 million per passenger.

Other high-profile kidnappings included the abduction of Anambra State’s Commissioner for Youths Development, Patrick Agha Mba, and his wife in August, and the kidnapping of 20 medical students in Benue State on their way to a conference.

Amah expressed frustration over the lack of adequate security on these highways, pointing out that the crime is not limited to the North-South corridor, as kidnappings and robberies also occur on other routes with extensive forested areas that remain poorly guarded.

He strongly advocated for the quick passage of the Nigeria Forest Security Service (NFSS) Bill in the National Assembly, emphasizing that a dedicated force would be crucial in securing forested areas and preventing criminal activity. “With the government’s support, the NFSS would ensure continuous surveillance and monitoring of highways, making these forests no longer ‘no-man’s lands’ where criminals operate with impunity,” Amah added.

The proposed NFSS plan includes clearing 10-meter-wide corridors along highways to eliminate ambush points for kidnappers and bandits. According to Amah, the government must act swiftly to protect citizens, boost Nigeria’s international image, and ensure economic stability.

In a similar vein, Professor Ugwu Anthony from Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Anambra, also called for the installation of CCTV cameras along highways, particularly in the South East, where he claimed security agents engage in extortion. “A journey from Onitsha to Nnewi exposes travelers to extortion by police and military personnel, inflating transportation costs and food prices,” he noted.

Professor Anthony suggested that the National Assembly should pass a law mandating CCTV cameras at all security checkpoints. He argued that this would serve two key purposes: deterring kidnappers by tracking their movements and preventing extortion by security personnel. “This would help to both monitor and deter criminal activity, while also addressing the allegations of complicity among some security forces,” he said.

As the Christmas season approaches, with many Nigerians traveling for the holidays, both Amah and Professor Anthony are calling for urgent government intervention to end the cycle of abductions and extortion that continues to plague the country’s highways.

For more information on this article and other related posts from Bushradiogist, please join our WhatsApp channel by clicking this link https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaUumOODTkK7AZL1Fw3o. For advertisement inquiries only, kindly send a message to 090 1907 0863 on WhatsApp.