Rising Threat: Kidnap-For-Ransom Plague Spreads To 19 States Beyond Abuja

Rising Threat: Kidnap-For-Ransom Plague Spreads To 19 States Beyond Abuja....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Beyond Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), which has recently witnessed a surge in kidnapping cases, the apprehension now extends to at least 19 states across the nation. The alarming escalation in the activities of kidnappers and their leaders has left both residents and travelers in affected states anxious about their safety……..CONTINUE READING

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The frequency of loss of lives and ransom payments has reached unprecedented levels, with families and friends of kidnapped victims grappling with trauma and the agony of raising funds for ransom payments. The harrowing experiences of those who manage to survive abduction are likened to a brush with death.

In response to the crisis, fundraising efforts, including crowd-funding through WhatsApp groups and social media platforms like X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook, have become commonplace. Recent incidents, such as the tragic case of Nabeeha Al-Kadriya, a 400-level biological science student in Abuja, highlight the desperate measures taken to secure funds for ransom.

Shockingly, even infants are not spared in this wave of kidnappings. In a recent incident in Kaduna, a baby and her mother were abducted by bandits who killed the father, a school principal, for resisting the abduction.

Despite substantial budgetary allocations to defense in recent years, including a budgeted expenditure of N1.55 trillion last year and 3.25 trillion in the 2024 budget, the kidnappings persist. The situation has evolved from primarily highway and farm incidents to bold attacks on residential areas.

Investigations reveal that an alarming amount, approximately N200 million, has been paid as ransom in some states since the beginning of the year. SBM Intelligence reported that between July 2022 and June 2023, over N300 million in ransom was paid nationwide, representing 6% of the N5 billion initially demanded. High-profile cases have seen demands exceeding N1 billion, such as the N700 million demand for the abduction of Nabeeha and her family.

The prevalence of unreported incidents compounds the severity of the crisis, with residents and travelers living in fear across states, including Kaduna, Sokoto, Zamfara, Benue, Ebonyi, Imo, Anambra, Kogi, Abia, Kwara, Ondo, Katsina, Niger, Edo, Ondo, Oyo, Rivers, Osun, and Ekiti.

In Benue State, kidnapping incidents have expanded beyond the Sankera axis, impacting areas like Makurdi-Naka-Otukpo Road and Otukpo-Ugbokolo-Otukpa-Orokam Road. The longstanding issue of violent crimes, dating back to the era of the late militia leader Terwase Agwaza, persists, with armed gangs and rival groups causing havoc, including abducting high-profile individuals.

Recent abductions in Benue, such as that of the Commissioner for Information, Culture, and Tourism, Mr. Matthew Abo, and the subsequent death of 81-year-old Pa Raymond Erukaa despite ransom payment, underscore the gravity of the situation. The abduction of Ukum LGA Chairman and Chief Security Officer, Rev. Gideon Haanongon, along with his associates, further highlights the urgent need for concerted efforts to address the escalating kidnappings plaguing the nation.

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