Kidnapping

By Umar Yahaya Dan’inu

Mass migration is a complex and multifaceted phenomenon that affects individuals, communities, and entire countries. It is driven by factors such as economic opportunity, political instability and natural disasters as people seek to improve their lives.

In Nigerians, many people are driven to migrate for better lives, education and healthcare, and job prospects. Political instability, such as conflict, insurgency and human rights abuses, also contributes to a mass migration of Nigerians.

The term “Japa” refers to the migration of Nigerians to foreign countries, especially Western ones, in search of a better life. A lack of quality leadership in the country at all levels often causes this phenomenon. Several reports and writing has shown that despite their love for their home country, many Nigerians have lost trust in their leaders and feel compelled to leave in search of a better future. Moreover, the decay in leadership has caused division within the polity; every tribe or region is suspicious of one another, and there is fear of domination and marginalisation.

In the 60’s and late ’70s, Nigeria was a country that commanded respect in the global arena. Our passport is a thing of pride at any entries and departure level. The Nigerian currency and economy were in good shape. However, the challenges facing Nigeria, such as insecurity, kidnapping, banditry, corruption and political violence, have led to the decline of the country’s economy and international standing. This decline has driven many young people, skilled and unskilled, to leave in search of a better life.

In Northern Nigeria, where Islam dominates the culture, people prefer to migrate to Middle Eastern countries, such as Saudi Arabia and recently Dubai and Qatar, where they share the same religion and beliefs. In contrast, Southern Nigeria is the centre of migrants, as people seek to escape bad governance and poor leadership. Despite the differences between the North and South in terms of access to education, quality of life, job prospects and economic opportunities, many young people still feel compelled to leave.  

However, the skilled and unskilled knows what they can do to navigate their way to leaving Nigeria. In Benin, the state of Edo, people are trafficked in the name of migration to get a better life, and they mostly end up enslaved and sold to work without regard for the dignity and respect they left in their country.  

Furthermore, some skilled migrants bring positive changes to Nigeria; they are doing wonders in their new countries, such as setting up companies that employ Nigerians, impacting the economy positively. In addition, statistics have shown that Nigerians are highly skilled people in the UK and the US, contributing to the economies of the host countries.

The migrations of these groups affected Nigeria negatively because Nigeria is among the world countries with the highest numbers of out-of-school children and increased maternal mortality rates. Nigerian-trained Doctors, Engineers, Scientists, Musicians and filmmakers are all over the world doing great work. Nigerian government needed their services and contribution to help in reducing the numbers of maternal mortality and to help in actualising effective education take place at all levels.     

To address the Japa syndrome, a multi-faceted approach is needed that addresses the root causes of migration and its challenges. These involved improving economic opportunities, promoting stability and security, and increasing access to education, healthcare, and employment opportunities can help reduce migration. In addition, strengthening the democratic process, improving wages and salaries, and enhancing the country’s security architecture are also important steps that need to be taken.

Nigeria is ours, and our responsibility is to ensure a bright future for our nation and youth. We must take action to address the Japa syndrome and create a future that is worth staying for.

Umar Yahaya Dan’inu wrote from Hausari Ward, Nguru, Yobe State. He can be contacted via umarnguru2015@gmail.com.

By Uzair Adam Imam

Reports from Bauchi State indicate that at least four people were murdered when gunmen attacked a community in Tafawa Balewa Local Government Area of the state.

It was gathered that, during the attack Sunday, the gunmen abducted one person and left another person critically injured.

The Bauchi State Police Public Relations Officer, Ahmed Wakili, confirmed the attack in a statement he issued to journalists.

He stated, “On receiving the report, detectives of the command were drafted to the scene led by the DPO Tafawa Balewa Divisional Police Headquarters evacuated the victims to the Tafawa Balewa General Hospital for medical treatment.

“Unfortunately, four victims were certified dead by the medical doctor, while one person sustained various degrees of injury during the attack,” he stated.

Wakili added that the Commissioner of Police, Aminu Alhassan, has directed a discreet investigation to arrest the perpetrators of the act and bring them to justice.

By Muhammadu Sabiu 
 
A Divisional Police Officer, DPO, who had just been transferred to Plateau State’s Pankshin Division was kidnapped by gunmen thought to be kidnappers.
 
The DPO, whose identity was undisclosed, was abducted on Wednesday at the hotel where he was staying for the local government.
 
According to reports, a sizable group of gunmen broke into the hotel at around 10:45 PM, kidnapped the man, and carried him somewhere unknown.
 
The report added that “the kidnappers released several gunshots into the air before they could force their way into the hotel at about 10:45 pm. It was like the DPO was their target; they shot him in the leg before he was taken away.”
 
As of the time of filing this report, The Daily Reality could not confirm any police statement about the incident.

By Uzair Adam Imam

People in Tumburkai, a community in Katsina state, have decried the rising level of insecurity ravaging the community in recent times.

Several attacks by bandits on the community have displaced many people and widowed an unidentified number of women.

The community members expressed worries on Thursday when a Kaduna-based Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), Victims of Banditry Support Initiative, visited the area.

The Daily Reality gathered that, during the visit, the NGO distributed bags of rice, foodstuff and cash to women in the community and the neighbouring villages.

Speaking at the event, the National Coordinator of Victims of Banditry Support Initiative, Malam. Abdullahi Usman said there is a need for society to support the needy, especially widows.

He was quoted as saying, “Although we don’t have much, we are not happy seeing those affected by bandit activities cannot feed. So out of the little God has given us, we intend to ensure the needy are also fed.”

He added that the NGO would continue to supply food items and cash to the widows.

“The NGO intends to continue giving food items and cash to the widows and others for the foreseeable future, and we are calling on the state and federal governments and wealthy individuals to pool their resources together in helping the widows,” he added.

By Ahmad Deedat Zakari

Masterminders of the attack and abduction of not fewer than 31 people from the Tom Ikimi Train Station in Igbueben in Edo State have reached out to some families of the abductees and made demands.

The Executive Director of Esan Youth for Good Governance on Social Justice, Benson Odia, on Monday, disclosed that the kidnappers demanded the sum of 20 million naira from each of the victims.

Odia described the demand as absurd and called on the government to intensify efforts in securing the release of the abductees.

He also disclosed that the Minister of Transportation and the Nigeria Railway Corporation boss visited Igueben to personally assess the situation.

He said, “I can tell you that the kidnappers have demanded N20 million, totalling N620 million. This is absurd and I don’t know where poor people will be able to raise that amount of money.”

By Safiyanu Ladan

The nefarious activities of bandits in Zaria and its environs are walloping. It was in 2019 that, for the first time, I heard about the kidnapping incident in Zaria, which saw the abduction of Malama Rabi Shamaki, a lecturer at the Nuhu Bamalli Polytechnic, Zaria. Since then, several such incidents have been reported in various places in the ancient city. However, on several occasions, the security operatives had been said to have thwarted their evil plans of unleashing mayhem on the people. 

The operatives of Kaduna State Police Command, while on surveillance patrol on 23rd December 2022, intercepted motorcycle riders with suspicious concealed bags in Basawa, Zaria LGA of Kaduna state.

In a bizarre circumstance, upon being stopped for search, one of the riders jumped down and escaped, heightening the operatives’ suspicious minds.

The timely intervention of the police has led to the successful recovery of Four(4) AK-47s, three hundred and forty-four (344) live ammunition, and ten (10) telephone handsets and charms from the other suspect.

The courageous efforts of police and other security agencies in taming the security challenges in Zaria and its environs have undoubtedly yielded the desired result. However, much still needs to be done to arrest the deteriorated and fragile condition.

Collaborating with security agencies to weed out the criminals in the communities is paramount. Hence, the need for people to be security conscious and proactive in reporting criminal elements to the appropriate authority.

In the meantime, I would like to appeal to the residents of Zaria to report any suspicious characters to the police or other security personnel. Helping security personnel in intelligence gathering will go a long way to nip in the bud the intended evil activities of bandits and other outlaws roaming in the nooks and crannies of the community.

Safiyanu Ladan wrote from Zaria via uncledoctor24@gmail.com.

By Muhammadu Sabiu

A 12-year-old boy has been detained by officers of the Bauchi State Police Command for allegedly abducting a three-year-old daughter.

The girl’s father informed the police that his daughter had been abducted after receiving an anonymous phone call notifying him of it.

The caller demanded N150,000 from the father of the girl as a ransom before releasing his daughter.

These were revealed in a media statement issued to journalists in the state on Saturday by Ahmed Wakil, the public relations officer for the Bauchi State Police Command.

After questioning the suspect, SP Wakili stated that the kidnapper teenager confessed that he learned about kidnapping when his friend was kidnapped some years ago, and money had to be paid as a ransom before he was released.

“Upon interrogation, the suspect stated that he is from Kano state and came to Bauchi state in search of petty business with his siblings. From the little he earned while hawking fried yam in Magama Gumau, he raised money and bought a mobile phone, the Tecno Camon model.

“The investigation also revealed that the suspect got to know about kidnapping when some time ago his friend was kidnapped in Kano state until a ransom was paid before he was released from his captors, that is how he learned about kidnapping and money must be paid to set a victim free.

“He also said he would have used the ransom money to buy his desired clothes and phones, but cut short upon his arrest by the Police operatives,” the police said.

By Muhammadu Sabiu

Parents of the 39 children who were kidnapped on Sunday by bandits while working on a farm in the Faskari Local Government Area of Katsina State have begged the government to help rescue them.

The Mairuwa community, according to a source, suffered the most heinous damage during the bandits’ raid.

He noted that when they (the bandits) approached the farm, the terrorists began shooting intermittently.

The source was quoted to have said, “They demanded N3m from the owner for him to be able to harvest his produce, he gave them N1million as part payment and decided to begin the work before completing the money, but unfortunately the bandits did not accept that. In our village, Mairuwa, alone we have 33 among the victims including young ladies who are due for marriage.”

SP Gambo Isah, the Katsina police spokesman, assured that efforts were ongoing as to how the abductees would be rescued.

Meanwhile, the Daily Reality has obtained reports that showed six of abductees had regained freedom on Tuesday.

By Uzair Adam Imam

A woman who regained freedom from bandits’ captivity said her abductors gave her N2,000 as transportation fare after collecting N6 million ransom from her husband.

The woman, Hajiya Fatima Ibrahim, said this when she appeared before a High Court in Zaria as prosecution witness (PW).

She was testifying as PW two at the resumed hearing of the case at Kaduna State High Court 1, Dogarawa Zaria.

Hajiya Fatima recounted, “On Jan. 2, 2021, in the night, I heard some strange noises in the house. As I woke up and switched on the lights, I saw the four defendants with a gun and machetes.

”They wanted to know where my husband was. I told them he was away. They kidnapped me and took me to Galadimawa Forest in Giwa Local Government Kaduna state after they had taken away money, children’s clothes and other valuables from the house.

”They called my husband and negotiated a ransom of N6 million to be paid in two instalments. The money was paid in my presence and the fourth Defendant (Usman) gave me N2,000 out of the money as transportation fare,” she told the court,” she stated.

She added that the defendants directed her on where to board a vehicle that will take her home and assured her that nothing will happen to her.

The police charged the arrested Dalhatu Shehu, Lawal Aliyu-Bullet, Nuhu Ismaila and Nura Usman with criminal conspiracy, armed robbery, illegal possession of a firearm and kidnapping.

The police said the offence contravenes the provisions of sections 59 (1), 246 (a-b) of the Penal Code and section 6 (b) of the Fire Arms Special Provision Act.

By Uzair Adam Imam

Reports from Zamfara State indicate that the police in the state have arrested eight bandits’ informants, gun runners, cattle rustlers and suppliers of hard drugs and foodstuff.

The police operatives also repelled the terrorists’ attacks in Bukkuyum, Shinkafi and Tsafe Local Government Areas of the state. 

The state Police Public Relations Officer, Superintendent Mohammed Shehu, disclosed this to journalists in Zamfara. 

Zamfara State is one of the epicentres of banditry and kidnapping in northern Nigeria that suffers from several attacks, leading to the deaths and displacements of a number of its residents. 

 He said the operatives also recovered four sophisticated guns, one cutlass and a bunch of charms after exchanging gunfire with the terrorists, who were forced to retreat into the bush.

Following the distress calls by some community members, this resulted in repelling the terrorists’ planned attacks on some communities. 

The suspects are under the state’s police custody, and a thorough investigation is currently taking place.