Kidnapping is an evil that is not unique in our lifetime. There is clear evidence in the Bible book of Deuteronomy (chapter 24, verse 7) where it is recorded that “if a man is found kidnapping any of his brethren of the children of Israel and mistreats him or sells him, that kidnapper shall die and you shall put away the evil from among you.”
Given that the book of Deuteronomy was written through the inspiration of God by the Hebrew Prophet, Moses (circa 1405 BC), it means, therefore, that kidnapping is a global enterprise that is as old as man. It is lucrative and has blossomed in scores of countries including Mexico, Colombia, Brazil, Philippines, Russia, Great Britain, Thailand, Guatemala, Italy, Somalia and now Nigeria. In Nigeria, kidnapping is less than two decades old, yet its dehumanizing effects are alarming.
In terms of security, Nigeria has not been like a lamb without blemish and without spot, but then, there was relative peace and people could travel without much apprehension. Now, the iniquity of kidnapping is in her and has changed everything to one of strife and contention to the injury of all.
It is unfortunate that kidnapping in Nigeria is not status sensitive as everyone is a fair game for the kidnappers. They kidnap any and everything that has breath. Animals, especially cattle and sheep are also endangered. The kidnappers rustle cattle in the fashion of criminals who were reported to have kidnapped six-ton working elephant in Thailand some years ago.
The kidnappers ought to concentrate on the unholy privileged oppressors who have been unethically and illegally favoured politically and economically and have sown poverty bountifully in the country. Through their collective degraded morals, hate speech, oppression, despair, hunger, frustration, unemployment and injustice have been nurtured to maturity and one of the unfortunate outcomes is kidnapping. They should also reap kidnapping bountifully. But this is not the case. The kidnappers are not able or willing to establish a link between the reasons they are in the kidnapping business and the status of their victims.
Now, kidnapping in Nigeria is tending toward a crescendo following a video that went viral not long ago. It was observed in the video that kidnapping business is now also becoming attractive to some men in uniform who have found it alluring to be in cahoots with notorious kidnappers. This is a trend that must be watched before it gets too complex. In the Philippines official figures showed that over 52 percent of the kidnappings were carried out by police or military men.
Can we afford that luxury in Nigeria where corruption has become a dominant culture, thus making fighting crimes dangerous and unsuccessful? If we do, in no time, we shall have a situation where kidnappers could just snatch people off busy streets, markets or hospital beds without a qualm. After all, some children and teachers have experienced kidnapping right in their schools!
It would be good that we cease being frightened by kidnapers; but is there a solution? I read and hear that the Police is making some good efforts to ensure that no vestige of the evil of kidnapping remains in Nigeria. While not doubting the authenticity of the claim, my curiosity is, however, aroused especially that Nigeria cannot be said to be one of the countries in the world where credible information could be available on any subject. In many countries where kidnapping thrives, records are available to show the number of kidnappings per 100,000 population per year. Are we able to do that too?
There is no incentive to hide the number of cases but the information is not just publicly available and many of the incidents may not have been reported. No one knows, in the absence of credible information, how long kidnapping will remain in Nigeria. I suspect that its end is not in sight and we must all, therefore, seek ways and take necessary steps to minimize it.
One of the first steps is to erase from our perception that all kidnappers are Fulani herdsmen. Such an impulse toward self-serving bias does not have strong utility value. To think that all kidnappers are of the Fulani stock is an indirect but potent way of masking the true identity of the miscreants. However, the tendency for people to reach self-serving conclusions whenever a cloud surrounds a piece of evidence cannot be avoided.
A number of persons have been arrested by the Police and other security agencies. Even though criminals could take on several identities, but one would expect the police to have detailed information on those that have been arrested; make such information available and save us the devious innuendo about kidnappers being solely Fulani herdsmen. Is that a herculean task? The answer is no!
The second step is to have a database of the incidents and the ‘colour’ of kidnapping operations to guide decisions. Besides, there is also the need to teach kidnapping preventions at all levels, publish regular reports on kidnapping incidents, counsel victims who must have become psychologically, emotionally and financially drained and exhausted. Who should do all of these and who is currently doing them?
Prof. F.O. Iyoha
