•Hayab, Shettima call for synergy, new tactics to curb trend
From Sola Ojo, Kaduna
Kidnapping in several communities in some local government areas of Kaduna State appears to be off and on, as if the bush boys and their city collaborators are studying the body language of elected political leaders and security agencies. This is evident in the dimensions this crime merchants have been killing, maiming and kidnapping Kaduna residents for ransom.
Apart from Birnin Gwari Local Government Area, the headquarters of banditry and terrorism in Kaduna, which has grounded the economic activities of the second largest emirate council in the state, other local government areas like Giwa, Igabi, Zaria, Chikun, Kajuru, Kachia, Kaura and Zangon Kataf have had and are still having their share of the heinous activities of these spoilers.
For example, on December 27, 2023, 32 people were reportedly kidnapped by bandits from Kwakware community in Bishini District of Kachia LG. On December 29, six persons from Gwando village, near Kufana, Kajuru LGA were reportedly kidnapped between Gwando and Roboh, when they were going to town to buy buffing to bury their dead around 8am.
Between January 4 and 5, 2024, three communities, Ungwan Sako, Kunkurai, and Dokan Kaji in Dawaki ward, Kauru LGA, were attacked, nine persons were killed and 34 others kidnapped.
On January 6, 2024, the Kaduna State Police Command confirmed that there was a gun duel along the Kaduna – Abuja expressway between security operatives and bandits by 11:30pm. The media had reported a kidnapping incident on that major highway.
“This incident occurred when the armed bandits in large numbers attempted to cross the said expressway at Dogon Fili area heading towards Jere and were engaged in a fierce shootout by the well-alerted security agents who dislodged the hoodlums and ensured a lot of them only escaped but with gunshot wounds,” spokesman for the command, ASP Mansur Hassan, said.
There were other pockets of kidnapping incidences that could not find their way to media and public spaces due to various reasons such as loss of trust in government and security agents, the number and sociopolitical status of the affected persons, location, threat to life, religion, beliefs and general culture of silence in northern Nigeria.
Chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Kaduna State Chapter, and country director of the Global Peace Initiative, Rev. John Joseph Hayab, told Daily Sun that the implications of these kidnappings were far-reaching.
“First, they pose a significant threat to the lives and well-being of innocent citizens. The trauma experienced by victims and their families is immeasurable, leaving lasting scars on the affected communities.
“Second, the economic impact cannot be overlooked. The fear of kidnapping discourages investment, hampers economic growth and perpetuates poverty in the region.
“Again, the kidnappings undermine the credibility and authority of the government, eroding public trust and confidence in the ability to maintain law and order.”
He, however, noted that, to address the situation, the federal and state government must take decisive action. To him, the first thing to do is to urgently strengthen security forces in the affected areas by way of increasing the number of well-trained prsons, equipping them with modern technology and enhancing their intelligence-gathering capabilities.
He also suggested improved collaboration between security agencies at the federal, state and local levels to ensure coordinated response to these criminal activities rather than working in silos, even though they are all working towards the same goal.
According to Hayab, “Investing in community policing initiatives is crucial. By empowering local communities to actively participate in their security, trust and cooperation between citizens and law enforcement agencies can be fostered.
“This can be achieved through the establishment of community-based security networks, where residents are trained and equipped to identify and report suspicious activities promptly.
“Moreover, the government should prioritise the provision of social amenities and economic opportunities in the affected areas. By addressing the root causes of criminal activities, such as poverty and unemployment, the government can reduce the vulnerability of individuals to engage in kidnapping and other illicit activities.”
President, Arewa Youth Consultative Forum (AYCF), Alhaji Yerima Shettima, lamented the return of bandits with “full force” in Kaduna State and other parts of the country, especially how they are tormenting people in many local communities. According to him, “the number of victims that are in their custody is alarming and those they have killed is painful and worrisome.”
He said: “These renewed attacks and the style of the attacks call for a renewed vigor and strategy to put to a stop this disrespect to our leaders, security agencies and mockery of the sensitivity of our citizens’ patience.”
Lending his voice on how to address the kidnapping problem in the country, Shettima said: “I encourage our people, our government and our security agencies not to relent in efforts to sustain the gains of defeating the bandits which has so far yielded positive results. We need to come up with new, strong, better and dynamic strategies to completely dislodge these enemies.”
Shettima believes that the new waves of kidnapping and killings for ransom in Kaduna are being perpetrated by bandits fleeing other parts of the region looking for safe abode. He also attributed some of the criminal activity to some disgruntled elements who are bent on distorting peaceful Nigeria and poor synergy between our security forces.
“If there are suspected sponsors, these sponsors should be traced, arrested and prosecuted to cut off all forms of supplies for them while our security agencies should also take the fight to them so that they will be running with no space to plan further attacks. For example, they should not have any place to hide as they move between Zamfara, Kaduna, Katsina and Niger states.
“Citizens must also play their civic role by way of honestly reporting any suspicious gathering or movement around them. When members of any community raise alarm about strange visitors around them, security agents should synergise and take immediate action,” he said.
He then expressed trust and confidence in the capability of the security forces to stop the bandits and their sponsors from further escalation if the right things are done in good time.
Meanwhile, following the earlier directives by the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, the Commissioner of Police (CP) in the state, Ali Audu Dabigi, on January 14, embarked on a routine confidence-building and assessment tour of the Kaduna-Abuja highway, where he charged deployed personnel to be vigilant, committed and professional in the discharge of their duties.
During that tour, alongside other senior police officers of the command, the CP had stopovers at security operatives’ duty posts with special interests given to all flashpoints, including but not limited to Kurmin Kare, Gidan Busa, and Akilbu crisis-prone areas.
He also interacted with and commended security personnel at their various duty posts, tasking them them to redouble their efforts, be vigilant, civil but firm to motorists, and eschew all forms of misconduct, in addition to their continued resilience and commitment to providing near-perfect security for commuters.
He interfaced with members of communities along the expressway where he solicited their cooperation, especially in assisting security agencies with credible information regarding the activities of men of the underworld.