By Chibuike Nwabuko
Abuja (Sundiata Post) – Civil Rights Activist, Comrade Shehu Sani has exposed the reason why there is kidnapping for ransom in Nigeria and none in Benin Republic, Niger, Chad and Cameroon.
The former federal lawmaker who represented Kaduna Central Senatorial District in the 8th National Assembly made the revelation against the backdrop of the federal government’s condemnation of crowdfunding for victims of kidnapping in one hand and recent upsurge in the spate of kidnapping, insecurity and killing-for-ransom in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja in particular and Nigeria in general.
According to Senator Shehu Sani, the reason why there is no kidnappings for ransom in Benin republic, Niger, Chad and Cameroon is because their “security agencies” are more “serious and professional” in the execution of their duties.
Shehu Sani stressed that the families of the victims of kidnappings will do anything to get their loved ones released in the event of the helplessness and hopelessness of the security agencies.
Disclosing this via his X account (formerly twitter) @ShehuSani, the Kaduna born Senator said:
“If ransom is not paid to Kidnappers, the lives of the hostages are at risk. If ransom is paid to kidnappers, it encourages other kidnappers to abduct more and makes the business of kidnapping more lucrative. Families of the victims of kidnappings will do anything to get their loved ones released in the event of the helplessness and hopelessness of the security agencies.
Why are there no kidnappings for ransom in Benin republic, Niger, Chad and Cameroon? Because their security agencies are more serious and professional in the execution of their duties.”
Sundiata Post recalls that the federal government had on Wednesday condemned crowdfunding for kidnap victims. Speaking through the Minister of Defence, Muhammad Badaru, the FG reminded that the Nigerian Terrorism Act criminalises such act, saying that it emboldens the criminals.
Badaru stated this while briefing State House correspondents after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting.
In his words, sourcing for ransom on social media by families and friends of abducted victims is illegal.
He noted that the Nigerian Terrorism Act criminalises such act, saying that it emboldens criminals.
The minister stated that FEC noted with concerns the spate of kidnapping in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and mandated the service chiefs to beef up security in the nation’s capital.
The defence minister explained that during a meeting with service chiefs on Tuesday, President Bola Tinubu ordered them to swing into action and bring the menace to an end.
He attributed the rise in security challenges within the FCT to the military operations in the North-West and parts of North Central which have forced the bandits to flee their hideouts.
He said most of the cases of kidnapping in the FCT happen in the suburbs.
Recall that outrage had trailed the abduction of six siblings and their father in the Bwari Area Council of Abuja on January 3, 2024. The kidnappers reportedly killed one of the sisters identified as Nabeehah after their parents couldn’t meet the deadline for payment of N60 million ransom.
The ex-minister Isa Pantami had said his associate volunteered N50m to sort out part of the ransom, fuelling criticisms about crowdfunding ransom by a former FEC member during the ex-President Muhammadu Buhari administration.
