Combating kidnapping in the North

FOR almost a decade, the giant of Africa, Nigeria, has been witnessing abduction, terrorism and banditry within the length and breadth of the country. Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones are home to terrorist groups like Boko-Haram, nomadic herdsmen, One- Million Boys and others. They have claimed the lives of countless people, old and young, for reasons best known to them. The main motive of these terrorists is to destroy properties, kidnap people’s loved ones and leave families in unending grief. Northern States have  recorded a high rate of kidnappings since 276 Chibok girls were abducted by Boko Haram in 2014. Although about 100 Chibok girls are still missing till date, some northern youths and retired military officers have seen a source of livelihood in kidnapping. They are terrorising residents, most especially farmers, in their domains with sophisticated guns and other locally made weapons. We should not debate where these young lads are getting guns given the fact that armed forces headquarters are located in the North. It is easy for certain retired security men to trade with the assailants.

The emergence of terrorist herdsmen opened the eyes of these young lads to the kidnapping business. Kidnapping turned out to be a lucrative business for these young lads; it fetched them millions of naira in days. In a BBC documentary titled ‘The Warlords of Zamfara’ in 2021, we see how these terrorists stormed, destroyed and took away students from different communities for ransom. They held students and some residents hostage, called each family to pay not less than ₦2 million ransom to rescue their children and loved ones. How can parents or families that earn ₦50,000 per month cough  up such funds within a few days? If families don’t meet up with the deadline, the assailants slaughter the captives. Human life is far from being precious in their sight. They do not care about the cries of their victims and their grieving relatives. They only want to escape poverty and economic hardship by torturing and squeezing funds out of the people.

It is high time the Federal Government took proactive measures in reducing this menace to the barest minimum. Tinubu’s government ought to engage the Emirs of the northern states and bring them to a roundtable. From time immemorial, Emirs have been seen as great rulers in their local communities/districts and people treat them with great respect. Apparently, Emirs symbolise unity and peace and are closer to the people. Engaging them with a view to stopping the incessant abductions and killings is, to me, the way to go. These young lads with guns have listening ears to hold the words of their Emirs. Another thing is that those Emirs have powers in the allocation of vacant lands and forests which these kidnappers use as hideouts. It should be easy for Emirs to locate and talk to them. Also, Tinubu needs to address youth unemployment in the North. People are experiencing hardship. Most international news reports on poverty about Nigeria are really focused on the northern states.

Some politicians know the terrorists: they sponsor and use them for their political gains. They not only provide them with rifles but supply them first-hand information about pending military operations. They need to be apprehended and made to face the wrath of the law. The incessant abductions negatively affect Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). The more these terrorists destroy farmlands, kill or abduct farmers, the more poverty we will experience as a country. Nigerians are one people, God has brought us together in our diversity. Together we raise the flag.

• Babalola writes in from Ibadan