Editorial A call for action Kidnapping for ransom though not new in our society, has recently taken on a sinister pedestal. In the past few weeks several kidnap cases have been reported going from high profile individuals to the common man who ventures out to his farm or plies our now perilous roads.
Ransom money have been paid ranging from millions of naira to hundreds of thousands depending on perceived value of the hostage. The precision and coordination of the the crime leaves no doubt that these men of the underworld are pros and have a perfect knowledge of our bushes which they use as their hideout and operational base.
Just yesterday, the ominous news filtered in town of the kidnap of some staff of the College of Education, Agbor along Olije, Igbanke on their way back from the wedding ceremony of the daughter to former Registrar of the COE, Agbor, Barr Oscar Osagiede.
Among those kidnapped were: Dr and Mrs Ughamadu, Mr and Mrs Kent Nosieri, Meschack Iwekaogwu and Dr Ughamadu’s driver.
Wielding sophisticated guns and other dangerous weapons, these henchmen who are suspected to be of Fulani origin from accounts of freed hostages, adopt a modus operandi that strikes fear and confusion on their victims. They usually surface from their bush hideout brandishing their weapons and force their victims out of their vehicles. The stunned victims would naturally think that it is a robbery operation only to be led into the bush. At other times unsuspecting victims, especially land prospectors are suddenly rounded up by these bandits and led further into the bush where calls are made to the families of the victims demanding ransom for their release.
These men and their local collaborators have instilled fear and wrought terror on the people, especially in recent times and not much has been done by the authorities to stem the ugly trend. It is even more appalling that such level of lawlessness and insecurity is being perpetuated in the domain of the sitting governor of the state coupled with the many army bases sprawling in different parts of the metropolis.
The big question is why haven’t the authorities deployed the many security outfits in town to combat this security challenge? Must we wait till the relative of a highly placed member of society or government official falls into the hands of these marauders before decisive action is taken?
We are indeed approaching a dangerous precipice and urgent, concerted efforts need to be called to play to prevent this trend from spiralling out of control.
