Kidnapping Rings in Nigeria: Who is Really Behind Them?

An on-looker thinks it is only rampant, the poor feel it’s a way of life, wealthy politicians see it is as enemies at work, criminals think it’s a way to share in the cake and expatriates call it terrorism. Kidnapping in Nigeria is a vice that has penetrated the system and settled comfortably as an annoying bump on the “forehead” of Nigeria. Reports show clearly that individuals from the Government, powerful politicians, rich, poor and gangs have indulged in it. Some have even alleged that many politicians have in fact used kidnapping rings to raise money to run their campaigns and to “win” their electoral seats. In order words, if these allegations are true, then many of the politicians may have owned or still own kidnapping rings, and may have used “blood money” to gain access to their political offices.

Image Credit: The Journal.ie

According to the Global Incidence Map 37 cases have been reported in 2016 in the entire country, while only 12 are in court and the culprits found. The tradition is one of giving into the kidnappers, paying the ransom and going on with life and the authorities if aware close the files. Certainly it is terrorizing and unthinkable when a loved one is in the hands of kidnappers; we will try in every way possible to dance to their tune in order to ensure that our loved one or employee is back safe. In 1984 the government under then Major-Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (now President); decided to set up an operation to have Umaru Dikko a Minister under the previous regime kidnapped from the United Kingdom and secretly transported back to face Nigeria’s criminal justice system for his alleged crimes. The operation was a huge failure and the relationship between the United Kingdom and Nigeria was in turmoil over it. Who is to tell if other secret kidnapping missions haven’t been successful?

On the night of 14 -15th April 2014, 276 girls were kidnapped in a government secondary school, in the town of Chibok in Borno State. The Islamic sect Boko Haram claimed responsibility for this action. Till date any reported motive is all speculative; they have no official statement demanding ransom, release of prisoners or other conditions for the release of these girls. All they have out are videos to the Government, saying more should be expected unless they forbid “western education”. This sect has ravaged the northern part of Nigeria; captured small villages, taken hundreds of women and boys as hostages and have killed hundreds of people through bombs (mostly suicide bombing) and savage warfare. They control their own media, and except for high profile cases like the kidnapping of Chibok girls, the world would be unaware of all their day-to-day kidnappings. However, the Nigerian government claimed that one of the missing girls; Amina Ali was found in May 2016, and she claims the remaining girls are still alive but six are dead.

Coming down to the oil rich south of Nigeria, to be an expatriate worker may be riskier than off shore drilling. The local sentiment there is one of disdain towards oil companies; they say the companies exploit their resources and destroy their lands without developing it. Although the companies cannot deny the obvious destruction of the environment and the natural ecosystems in the Niger Delta area, the companies claim it is not their responsibility to develop the area because they pay their taxes and dues levied on them by the Government, so the Government is responsible for development. Finger pointing games most often end with all sides loosing and this gave birth to the Movement for the Emancipation of The Niger Delta (MEND) a group manned by youths with initial aim of altering the world of marginalization and underdevelopment around them, and abject neglect of the extensive environmental damage due to oil spills by various expatriate companies . According to the Guardian newspaper; the edition of 21st January 2006, the kidnappings of expatiates by the MEND are done to “draw attention to their plight and economic genocide from their people.” The group grew stronger and their activities became even more dangerous, ransoms were paid from kidnappings culprits who were never caught, military solutions did not work, and the neglect of the region did not change. It suddenly looked more lucrative as a youth to be part of the movement than to pursue an education.

During the reign of President Umaru Yar’ Adua an amnesty program was launched which was finalized under President Goodluck Jonathan; this program quenched the movement by turning leaders of the MEND into millionaires; reports from The Wall Street Journal show that Asari Dokubo an ex-militant and leader of the MEND was paid $10 million as pipe line protection fund and he is not a security company. Will this insight a future group therefore fueling future kidnappings?

Over the entire territory the trend set by the Niger Delta Militants has spread like wild fire. In 2013, The U.S State Department listed Nigeria as having the highest rates of kidnappings in the world, and led in cases of ‘’kidnapping for ransom’’ in 2014. On July 1st of 2016, it was reported by the BBC that a Sierra Leonean diplomat, the Deputy High Commissioner in Nigeria Nelson Williams was kidnapped in Kaduna; North-West of Nigeria. The embassy workers said a ransom of $40 million was immediately demanded. Recent reports as of the 6th of July 2016 show he has been released but no word as to a ransom paid or the whereabouts of the culprits.

The high rate of poverty and income inequality in Nigeria is a huge kidnapping incentive. Going through all 37 cases reported this year by the Global Incident Map, most cases are situations of Kidnapping for ransom. We had the case of the sierra Leonean diplomat reported July 1st; the case a Cynthia Diden the wife of a Delta State lawmaker reported by The Vanguard on July 1st 2016 and ransom of two hundred million naira demanded; 7 expatriate workers were kidnapped in June 2016 in Calabar Cross River state, their Nigerian driver was shot and killed (he the only one killed), and ransom was also demanded for the release of the kidnapped workers. This has serious implications, if the individuals involved in these kidnappings were not as poor as they are, or do not hear reports of Ministers, Governors and top government officials embezzling and lavishing money that would have been used to better their economic situations, may be they would not retaliate with such acts of desperation. Is it bad governance or laziness that keeps the current poverty rate high thereby fanning kidnappings for ransom?

July 1st 2016 saw the legislators of Delta State settle for the death penalty on those convicted of kidnapping in the state. They join Anambra state in that effort, while the national punishment remains at 3 years imprisonment. At a recent senate session of early 2016 senator Godswill Akpabio called for it to be increased to the level of capital punishment.

The truth of this matter is, people indulging in criminal activities that require a fore thought like kidnapping, and are fully aware that there will be repercussions if caught. Therefore, increasing the punishment doesn’t really deter the criminals, no criminal stops committing crimes because their punishment if caught has been increased; they stop because they have better or more lucrative things to do. The Niger Delta militants didn’t stop because harsher sanctions were slammed on their activities; those who stopped were because they had huge compensations and government allowances. Now, we are not suggesting a huge compensation for all Kidnappers. What we suggest is simple, Good Transparent Governance that will tackle misappropriation, income inequality, and spread development. When this happens the kidnappers left will be those doing it without the blame of an indulging system. More effort and resources should be put on the special training of the Police officers on how to effectively communicate and tackle kidnappings. In addition, part of Police trainings on handling kidnapping cases should also entail finding out who the big bosses are in government, who may own and control kidnapping rings. Who are the politicians, if any, who are the actual kingpins of kidnapping rings in Nigeria?

References and links

http://www.nairaland.com/2063964/origin-kidnapping-nigeria

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http://www.philstar.com/nation/2015/06/17/1466948/police-nab-3-nigerians-bulacan-kidnap-case

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http://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052702304019404577420160886588518