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Upsurge of kidnapping incidence in FCT and the place of utilitarian theory of crime
Published
1 year agoon
By Opaluwa Eleojo Simeon, BSc, MSc, Criminology and Security Studies
Kidnapping is a criminal act of the unlawful taking or carrying away of a person by force usually with the aid of dangerous weapons, or an unlawful seizure of a person against his or her will for ransom or in extreme cases, for sale to ritualists. This kind of crime is categorised as a violent crime.
Kidnapping is as old as man and not new to us in Nigeria as it is witnessed in many parts of Nigeria daily. In fact, there’s no place in Nigeria that is free of this type of violent crime, but the situation in the FCT, the Nigeria capital city and its environ is becoming very worrisome and a source of concern to criminologists and security analysts.
The residents of FCT no longer sleep with their two eyes closed, nor keep late night outings for the fear of being kidnapped.
Sunday Vanguard of 21st January, 2024 in its cover story captioned it as ” 85 seized in 96 hours of horror”. This terrifying report shows that the Nation’s capital city is under a seige and at the mercy of this criminal elements.
Only a few days ago, an Estate belonging to the Nigeria Army at Kurudu was attacked by this elements taking away two of its occupants with the demand of thirty million naira as ransom. This is outside the countless report of such incidence in Bwari, Kuje, Tunga Maje etc.
Report has it that the Federal Capital Territory is surrounded by Boko Haram members in a new uniform, and dressed as kidnappers. The collective responsibility of all stakeholders; security agencies and citizens alike is needed to bring this deadly monster to a defeat.
Sunday Punch in its bold headline story on 21st January, 2024, reported that “following the upsurge of kidnapping incidence in Abuja, Nigerians have devised means of self – Defense strategies by Employing more armed vigilantes, erect additional gates, mount roadblocks in communities, search visitors vehicles etc”. These are effort put in place by citizens to keep themselves safe.
Government on its own has put in place measures aimed at meeting it’s constitutional requirement, which part of it, is the safety of it’s citizens. This is however reactionary to crime incidences, as the police and it’s sister agencies ought to be practically ahead of this criminals through intelligence gathering and technologically aided policing.
Part of this measures is the security meeting summoned by the Hon. Minister of FCT recently, leading to the minister making a declaration that Abuja will no longer be safe for kidnappers and other criminals alike.
Another of such measures is the inauguration of a Special Intervention Squad by the Inspector General of Police to keep the FCT safe with about five hundred of its men and headed by a Commissioner of Police, with a sound record of achievement.
This interventionist measure should be extended to all the state of the federation because of the spill over effect.
In the last 48 hours, this effort is beginning to yield result of success. Amongst which is:
1. The arrest of a notorious kidnapping kingpin, Chinaza Phillip, who has been terrorising the city.
2. Bursting of kidnappers ring and arresting three suspects.
3. Rescue of some of the Bwari kidnapped victims.
4. The foiling of attack on the River Park Estate along the Airport Road.
One of the things that have emboldened this criminal elements is our slow system of Criminal Justice Administration.
The utilitarian theory of crime should be activated because,it has a uniquely potent deterrent effect on criminals and potentially violent offenders for whom the threat of imprisonment is not a sufficient restraint.
The practice of execution by firing squad should be reintroduced into our criminal justice system.
There’s an urgent need for the establishment of a special court to cater for violent crimes such as kidnapping instead of the regular court, and all cases has to be disposed within 30 days.
With the return of the ” *firing squad* ” practice of execution of criminals in public glare, violent crime especially, will be reduced to a considerable level.
The time to act is now.
Achimugu, a Labour Activist writes from Kogi State
News
Ribadu will emerge as successor to Tinubu in 2031 – Primate Ayodele predicts
Published
2 hours agoon
April 27, 2025
Renowned Clergy and leader of the INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, Primate Babatunde Elijah Ayodele, has predicted that President Bola Tinubu will succeed himself in 2027 after which the National Security Adviser, NSA Nuhu Ribadu would succeed him in 2031.
Speaking in an interview with Daily Sun newspaper, Ayodele forecasted that Ribadu would take over after Tinubu completes his second term in office.
“After Tinubu, Nuhu Ribadu will take over,” the cleric declared. He further asserted that the majority of governors elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) would abandon their party’s presidential candidate and work for Tinubu’s re-election in 2027.
“The majority of these PDP governors are not going to be with their presidential candidate,” he said.
Turning to political developments in various states, Ayodele predicted that the All Progressives Congress (APC) would not win in Anambra State in the this year’s governorship election, emphasising the continued popularity of Governor Chukwuma Soludo.
“APC will lose Anambra State because the people will still vote for (Prof Chukwuma) Soludo,” he stated.
He also issued a warning to Senate President Godswill Akpabio, advising him to pray against another scandal that could rock his office. On former Lagos State governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, Ayodele said, “Ambode will re-launch his political career if he prays very well.”
In matters of national security, Primate Ayodele advised President Tinubu to overhaul his security apparatus, alleging that it has been compromised. He raised an alarm about foreign military activity on Nigeria’s waters.
“American submarines are on Nigeria’s water. What they are doing there I cannot say. Nigeria must be on the alert because their presence is not in Nigeria’s interest, ”he warned. “The President should be very careful about Donald Trump’s government. Nigeria’s security agencies should carry out discreet investigations on this and be watchful.”
Ayodele further cautioned Vice President Kashim Shettima to tread carefully to avoid being removed during Tinubu’s second term. He also advised the wife of the Imo State governor to remain vigilant to avoid falling victim to a possible kidnapping.
He predicted turbulence in the Nigeria Police Force, foreseeing the removal of the current Inspector General of Police.
Addressing the ongoing alignments among opposition politicians, Ayodele urged Nigerians not to be misled, warning that supporting figures like Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, Nasir El-Rufai, Bala Mohammed, and Seyi Makinde would worsen the country’s situation.
“Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, Nasir El-Rufai, Bala Mohammed, Seyi Makinde will make things more difficult for Nigerians, even worse than what Nigerians are going through under Tinubu now,” he warned. “Voting for any of these politicians in the next election will be more disastrous. Nigerians must never contemplate the choice of any of these politicians. Rather, they should stick with Tinubu.”
Primate Ayodele concluded by urging patience among citizens, expressing optimism that Tinubu’s second term would bring improvements.
“Tinubu’s second term will be better than his first term. The same Tinubu that has taken Nigeria to where it is now will also bring the nation out of its current situation in its second term. Nigerians should exercise patience,” he said.
News
Gov Ododo’s inclusive style of governance lauded as exemplary — Spokesman
Published
3 hours agoon
April 27, 2025
Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo’s ability to bring governance closer to the people of Kogi State has been described as exemplary.
The Special Adviser to the Governor on Media, Ismaila Isah, stated this while appearing as a guest on Nigeria Info FM in Abuja on Wednesday.
He said Governor Ododo’s humane approach to governance has endeared him to many in the state.
According to Isah, Governor Ododo has earned widespread commendation for consistently running an inclusive administration, where women play key roles and young people occupy more than 80 percent of appointive positions within the government.
He credited the rancour-free political climate in Kogi State to Governor Ododo’s respect for everyone, regardless of political affiliation.
“He consulted widely even before he was sworn in as Governor. He met and engaged with all our former governors and political leaders regardless of their political leanings. He also reached out to community leaders and captains of industry, traveling far and wide across the country to inform them that his administration would be for everyone. Through this, he earned the support of most stakeholders, including those outside his political party.
“Upon assuming office, he has sustained that tradition of inclusivity, reaching out even to members of the opposition. Opposition members are carried along in policy formulation, which is why we have not witnessed the usual tension and rancour,” he said.
Speaking on Governor Ododo’s achievements over the past 14 months, Isah emphasized that the administration has kept faith with its campaign promises.
He explained that Governor Ododo campaigned on four cardinal agenda items: human capital development (focusing on health and education), investment in agriculture and food security, security of lives and property, and infrastructure development.
“Kogi has faced insecurity challenges due to its proximity to nine neighbouring states and the FCT, leading to an influx of criminals. However, the state government has been proactive, working actively to clear them from our environment through collaboration with neighbouring states and the FCT,” he said.
Isah noted that the administration has made infrastructures a priority to avoid the trend of abandoned projects seen in past administrations.
“We have ensured the completion of key road and infrastructural projects initiated by the immediate past government. In Lokoja, for instance, two critical road projects have been completed: the Zone 8 through Barracks, Zango to GYB Junction road (about 9 kilometers), and the Zone 8 to Crusher road (about 5.5 kilometers). Both were commissioned by Vice President Kashim Shettima during Governor Ododo’s first anniversary in office.
“Apart from these, the government is pursuing an ambitious plan to link rural and farming communities with markets by constructing over 200 kilometers of roads, some in partnership with donor agencies like the World Bank. New projects are also being initiated alongside the completion of inherited ones,” he said.
Isah added that township road projects are ongoing across all 21 local government areas in the state, with some already completed and awaiting commissioning.
“Just a few weeks ago, the Governor was in Yagba East and Yagba West, particularly Egbe, where the township road project has been completed and will soon be commissioned. Similar projects are ongoing across all three senatorial districts,” he added.
Isah further stressed the administration’s commitment to education infrastructure.
“At the twilight of the last administration, two universities — the Confluence University of Science and Technology, Osara, and Kogi State University, Kabba were delivered within three years. Upon taking office, Governor Ododo ensured the continued development of these institutions. Over N10 billion has been expended at KSU Kabba alone, with significant progress made in securing accreditation for most courses,” he said.
On security, Isah highlighted the government’s zero tolerance for crime and consistent efforts to strengthen security architecture.
“We have re-jigged our security system, recruited over 2,000 local hunters and expanded the vigilante ranks across the 21 LGAs. We have also provided vehicles, motorcycles, night vision goggles, and other logistics. The community-based approach to security is being sustained,” he said.
Furthermore, the Special Adviser said Governor Ododo is passionate about improving healthcare infrastructure to ensure affordable and accessible services.
“We are revitalizing over 200 primary healthcare centres across the state, with nearly half ready for commissioning,” he stated
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