WHY KIDNAPPERS MUST DIE
Scarcely has Lagosians fully savored the good news of the release of abducted Secretary of Isheri Estate (GRA) Landlord Association, Dayo Adekoya, when the news that seven persons have allegedly been kidnapped in Epe Area of Lagos State filtered into the air waive.
The alleged victims include five
workers of a farm and two members of the Odua People’s Congress (OPC), who were
recently employed as security personnel.
Igbodu community, in Epe, which
has recently been transformed into a massive farming hub by the State
Government, has witnessed some kidnap cases involving majorly farmers in recent
time.
To show that kidnappers have
become audacious in their operational mode, a top Lagos monarch, Oba Goriola
Oseni, the Oniba of Ibaland, was once abducted right in his palace by gun men
who purportedly murdered a security guard, Sunday Eniola Okanlawon and a
commercial motorcyclist, Joseph Okeke and also attempted to murder the
monarch’s wife, Olori Abosede Oseni. The monarch was to spend 21 excruciating
days in the hand of his depraved captors before he was eventually released.
These dare devil men have become
so callous that even children are not spared in their endless cruel search to
make money at all cost. Last year, three school girls were seized from
Babington Macaulay Junior Seminary, Ikorodu, but were later freed by the police.
And recently, students and staff of a Turkish International School, Isheri,
Ogun State, were kidnapped and later released.
Before now, kidnapping was alien
to our culture. Things, however, changed when Niger Delta militants turned the
creeks into a hub of ungodly pursuit, where top government functionaries,
diplomats, relations of famous and wealthy celebrities, expatriates and host of
other top shots were abducted and kept for ransom. In view of the economic
gains of the unscrupulous business, its scope was to later spread from the
Niger Delta creeks to other parts of the country, especially the South -East
and South -West.
A recent Freedom House report
indicates that Nigeria recorded one of the highest rates of kidnapping in the
world. Equally, a 2013 data of the US Department of State's Country Reports on
Human Rights Practices for 2013 shows that kidnapping and connected crimes were
serious problems in Nigeria.
But then, the good news now is
that in Lagos State, like smokers, kidnappers are liable to death. This is the
highlight of the Anti Kidnapping Law recently signed by the State Governor, Mr.
Akinwunmi Ambode. The law recommends death penalty for kidnappers in whose
custody victims died and life jail for those who kidnapped for ransom.
The Anti-Kidnapping Law is
all-embracing. It stipulates sentence for the actors, the collaborators, the
aiders and those who were aware of the act but did nothing about it. The law is
primarily meant to warn criminals about desist from further engaging in
kidnapping.
It is quite apt that the Lagos
State Government and a few other States in the country are exploring the
instrumentality of the law to tackle what has now become a monster in our
nation. Since what separates the human society from the animal kingdom is the preservation
of law and order through the enactment and enforcement of set of rules and
laws, it is expected that the Anti Kidnapping Law will go a long way in
checkmating the spate of kidnapping in the State. With the ratification of the law, the State Government
is simply signifying to kidnappers and their collaborators that it is no longer
going to be business as usual for them.
Though some have criticized the
law as being too stiff, but the truth is that kidnapping is evil, barbaric,
inhuman and despicable; and it should be treated as such. Aside the
psychological and emotional damage that the act brings upon victims and their
family members as well as well wishers, the woes that the dastardly act brings
to bear on the nation’s economy are quite enormous.
As expected, no rational investor
would put his money in an unsafe environment. So, kidnapping grossly undermines
the country’s economic prospect. Not only this, it is an embarrassment to the
image of the country. It doesn’t do our nation much good to have a demeaning
global reputation of a haven of rogues and criminals. Many a times, these criminals have dealt in
the most inhuman and callous ways with expatriates working, particularly in the
oil industry as well as other sectors. This isn’t right as it does more havoc
to the image our nation when it is seen as an unsafe place to transact
business.
However, for the new law to really
have its expected impact, our justice administration system must measure up to
expectation. Lagos State has particularly done much in this regards, but the
police, especially, must play it own part quite appropriately. In most
instances, cases that the public are interested in are often bungled because of
obvious loopholes that Investigation Police Officer, IPOs, often make available
for smart lawyers to capitalize.
Hence, for the new law to be suitably
effectual, the police and all other relevant security agencies must be alive to
their statutory responsibilities. At
every stage in the judicial system, from the IPO to other judicial officers
involved, at one stage or the other, in a kidnapping case, there must be unity
of purpose and unwavering commitment to the preservation of the rule of law.
Prosecuting counsels should brace
up to dispel the theory that they sometimes conspire with accused individuals
to botch cases. Constant filing of amendment of charges after the arraignment
of the accused, non-appearance in Court and unending demands for adjournments
should not be frivolously used to delay cases.
The law is meant to trounce evil
and evil doers. In any society where the reverse is the case, evil will reign
supreme. Now that the law has spoken, let kidnappers and their collaborators
beware!
Meanwhile, for emergency situations and other
security related matters, Lagos residents could avail themselves of the toll
free hotlines; 767 and 112.
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