Wednesday, 21 November 2012
Article: The War Against Kidnapping In Imo State
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| Victims Of Kidnapping |
By Kenneth Uwadi
I eased my
car into Mmahu-Egbema last week Sunday as fierce
looking police officers of the Operation Rescue team in
the middle of the road signaled me to pull over. I rolled down my window,
greeting one of the officers with a "morning." "Do you live
here? Where are you coming from? Who is the owner of the car?" the officer
asked."I live here" I replied. For me, I have nothing to hide. The
officer circled the vehicle. A long assault rifle dangled at his side. After a
few more questions and checking of my particulars, he let me drive on.
Such checkpoints are not part of daily activities in Mmahu, the Headquarter of
Ohaji/Egbema Local Government Area of Imo state.
Ohaji /Egbema
LGA has a population of more than 200,000 persons. The brief
anxiety that I encountered with the policemen was as a result of a kidnap
incident. Gunmen the night before, kidnapped Dr John Udogu , a
prominent Medical Doctor in Mmahu-Egbema . Udogu was reportedly forced
into a vehicle near his house. With the help of the community Vigilante
group in Mmahu and the Operation Rescue patrol team two
of the kidnappers were caught and Dr Udogu was freed. Efforts are
on to get the rest of the kidnap gang.
Criminals practice
kidnapping to demand for a ransom to make money. Economic kidnapping is one of
the fastest growing criminal industries. Kidnappers primarily target wealthy
businesspersons. However, occasionally these gangs target Western and other
foreign citizens. The kidnappers sometimes abduct their victims from urban
areas and transport them to rural areas while they conduct negotiations. They
use more violence to frighten those negotiating to pay up quickly. Some of the
victims are murdered after ransom negotiations.
As the Christmas
trees are being lit, fools who are driven by animalistic instincts will take to
crimes such as kidnapping and armed robbery so as to keep up with the Joneses.
Yes, the red and green garlands are beginning to appear at the entrance of
buildings. Phones are now blaring Christmas carol when they ring. We are indeed
winding up activities for that all important Christmas. One big question in the
mind of Imo people abroad remains whether the Imo State government is winning
the war against kidnapping. True, So many Ndi-Imo abroad have asked me this
question.
As a man who
have severally criticized Owelle Rochas Okorocha, the
executive governor of Imo State over kidnapping in the state, I can now say
comfortably YES. Imo state government is stopping criminals in their tracks.
Imo has chalked up major victories and from the look of things will continue to
do so. I say this because of the initiated strategies aimed at reducing the
level of crime. Among the initiated strategies are the strengthening of
vigilante policing structures all over our communities and putting up stronger
law against kidnapping and crimes. Imo has put a law which empowers the state
to acquire and destroy properties belonging to kidnappers.
I must confess that
this new tactics, this new measures of Governor Okorocha are measures
in the right direction. These measures are welcome development in
the state. I must commend him in this robust and
determined war on kidnapping that has great prospect of success. This new law
on kidnapping and crimes in Imo state has seen significant achievements. The
houses of a notorious criminal in Mgbidi, Oru West and another accomplice from
Otulu, also in Oru West were demolished recently. The house of a
prominent traditional ruler Eze Cosmas Onyeneke the Ekwueme IV of Lagwa
Okwuato in Aboh Mbaise local government area of Imo State was destroyed. The
house of a notorious kidnapper said to be a relation of a Traditional Ruler
from Orlu Local Government was also demolished. Onyeneke’s factory premises
was a safe haven for kidnappers. Another family in Orlu got their
house demolished because their son was involved in kidnapping.
Perhaps it is easy
for those who have never felt the violent hand of kidnapping to say,
"Wait, this new law is too harsh." But when you have seen
kidnappers kill your loved ones because you can’t
afford the ransom ; when you have seen hate filled criminals beat , kick and
even rape your sister; when you suddenly find your tongue twisted
and your speech stammering as you seek to explain to your six year old daughter
why she can't see her mummy again because she was kidnapped and killed,
and see tears welling up in her eyes then you will understand why harsh
action on kidnappings and crime are necessary.
While I
express my satisfaction with the government’s performance in
this war against kidnapping , I must admit that there
are still a lot of work ahead in making sure that the vigilante
police system function effectively. We still need to provide more
facilities to our Vigilante groups such as batons, handcuffs, uniforms,
walkie-talkie radios, crowd dispersers, licensed riffles and
vehicles to enable them to respond to calls in time. Their salary should
be stepped up a little. They need to be equipped properly and remunerated very
well. You will discover that it has become extremely difficult for robbers to
invade communities at night in any part of Imo state. It is as a result of
community effort at policing. We should make them to assist the police during
the day. If adequate incentives are provided for Vigilante personnel, they
would discharge their responsibilities effectively.
Community policing
is very important. Community Policing remains the best security tool to stamp
out all shades of criminal practices that has been existing at the
grassroots of the state. The people perpetrating the various shades of crimes
are resident of the various communities. This system of community
policing would usher in a healthier, peaceful co-existence amongst the
communities guaranteeing people to sleep with two eyes closed. Law
enforcement agencies and communities are in this together. Time-tested
relationships and informed understanding of communities and police will
reinforce this. Experienced officers recognize that engagement and partnerships
between police and the communities consistently bring about success in the
fight against crimes. The people are watching.
(Uwadi writes from
Mmahu-Egbema, Imo State, Nigeria)
Photonews: New Lawyers Called To Nigerian Bar
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| Photo Credit: News Agency Of Nigeria |
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| Photo Credit: News Agency Of Nigeria |
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