The recent arrest of the dreaded kidnap kingpin, Chukwudumeme George Onwuamadike, alias Evans, in his Magodo, Lagos residence by operatives of the Inspector-General Police Intelligence Response Team (IRT) indicates that the war against the menace is yielding the desired result.
Evans was paraded alongside six members of his gang at Police Headquarters, Ikeja, Lagos. Since his arrest by the IRT led by Deputy Commissioner of Police, Abba Kyari, he has regaled the nation with details of his kidnapping activities, the millions of dollars he collected as ransom and the houses he built and rented for his nefarious engagements.
We commend the police, especially the IRT, for busting this kidnap syndicate and many other criminal gangs, including that of the dreaded kidnap and armed robbery kingpin, Henry Chibueze. The IRT has also arrested Adamu Mamman, alias Master, one of the most wanted kidnap kingpins in the country. What this team has shown is that the Nigerian Police can fight all forms of criminality in the country, if adequately equipped and funded.
There is no doubt that the recent successes of the IRT dealt a serious blow to the underbelly of kidnapping kingpins in the country. By dislodging Vampire and Evans, the police have demonstrated that there is no safe haven for kidnapping in the country.
But, the police should not rest on their oars. They should continue to work round the clock until the country is rid of criminal kingpins. Kidnapping has, for some time now, become a threat to peaceful living in Nigeria.
It has seriously traumatised the victims and their relations. Kidnapping has put fear in the minds of Nigerians because nobody knows who is going to be the next victim. It is a pity that kidnapping, which started in the Niger Delta region to extort ransom from the oil majors, has become a thriving “business” in almost all parts of the country.
It is worrisome that despite the law against kidnapping, it is still on the increase. The provision for death penalty for kidnapping has not dissuaded kidnappers from the nefarious “trade”. We hope that the arrest of Evans will stem the tide of kidnapping in the land. The law should take its course on his case.
Good enough, Evans has been forthcoming on his criminal activities. So, the police and the law courts should have no problem securing his conviction. Kidnapping is devilish and everything must be done to stop it. Now that the police seem to be having the upper hand in the battle against kidnapping, they should upgrade their cell phone tracking system and stay well ahead of the kidnappers.
Families of kidnapped victims should also speak out to give the police the opportunity to bust the gangs holding them. Keeping quiet over ransom demands worsens the problem and emboldens kidnappers. We advise that security around arrested kidnapping kingpins should be strengthened to prevent bids to rescue them by their gang members. Beyond the euphoria of the arrest of Evans and his gang, the police should go after other kidnap kingpins still plying their trade in some parts of the country. The emerging case of the kidnap syndicate that specialises in kidnapping schoolchildren in Lagos State should be looked into urgently with a view to arresting the situation. Kidnapping is a dangerous activity that should not be tolerated. Therefore, let all hands be on deck to stamp it out.