For almost a decade the giant of Africa,Nigeria, has been witnessing abduction, terrorism and banditry within the length and breadth of the country. Nigeria, which consists of six geopolitical zones considered as a home of terrorist groups like Boko-Haram, Heldmen, One- Million Boys and others. They had claimed the lives of countless people (both young and adult) for reasons unknown to them.
The main motive of these assailants is to destroy properties, kidnap loved ones and leave families in unending grief. Northern States have recorded a high rate of Kidnappings shortly after 276 Chibok girls were abducted by Boko haram in 2014.
Despite the fact that about 100 chibok girls are still missing till date, some Northern youths and retired military officers have seen a source of livelihood in the abduction. They are terrorising residents (most especially the farmers) in their local domains with foreign guns and other locally made weapons.
We should not debate on where these young lads are getting foreign guns due to the fact that armed forces headquarters are located in the North and 70% of personnel in the hierarchy are Hausas. It is easier for the retired operatives to trade with assailants for ammunition.
The emergency of heldmen opened the eyes of these young lads into Kidnapping business. Though the heldmen were reported in the killing of farmers for the sake of their cows but not in kidnapping cases.
However, kidnapping turned out to be a lucrative business for these young lads, which got them millions of naira in days. In a BBC documentary titled ‘The Warlords of Zamfara’ in 2021, we could see how these guys stormed, destroyed and took away students from different communities for ransom.
They held students and some residents hostage, called each family to pay not less than ₦2 million to bail their children and loved ones. Funny enough, how could parents or families that earn ₦50,000 per month afford such demand within a few days?
If families didn’t meet up with the deadline, the assailants would slaughter their captives. The lives of humans are like goats’ and far from being precious in their hands.They do not care about the cries of blindfolded people including grieved relatives. They only want to escape poverty and economic hardship by torturing and squeezing funds out of the indigent people.
It is high time for the Federal Government to take proactive measures in tackling this menace to the barest minimum. Instead of sacrificing the lives of unrelented soldiers on a daily basis, Tinubu’s Government ought to appease the fathers (Emirs) of Northern States and hold them responsible on the roundtable. From the time immemorial, Emirs have been the great rulers in their local communities/districts and people shower them with more respect than governors. Have you ever seen in the news that any Emir has been kidnapped? While many Obas in the South West had encountered such.
Apparently, Emirs symbolise unity and peace in the North, and closer to the people. Engaging them to disrupt incessant killings and abduction, to me, is a good way to go. We should also not forget the fact that Emirs pray and preach sermons on Fridays which thousands of people attend. Those assailants might be part of the congregation too. If Tinubu funds and supports them, I am sure there will be changes. Because all these young lads with guns have listening ears to hold the words of their Emirs.
Another thing is that those Emirs have powers in the allocation of vacant land and forest which these kidnappers use as hideouts. It should be easier for Emirs to locate and walk to them.
Also, Tinubu needs to address youth unemployment in the North. People are experiencing more hardship over there than other regions, and this might trigger assailants into abduction. Most international news reports on poverty about Nigeria were covered in the Northern States, which often fuels the poverty rate and worsen the situation.
Some Northern politicians know these guys, they sponsor and use them for their political gains. They also not only handling them rifles but supply them first-hand information about pending soldier attack. They all need to stop these for the future of those young gun-carriers and the national stability in the face of the world.
I must this that abduction does nothing but negatively affect the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). The more will destroy farmlands, kill or abudct farmers, the more poverty will experience as a country. No bad results to good.
We Nigerians, We are one people, God has made us together in our diversities. Together we raise the flag.
X: @JurnoToheeb
LindedIn: Toheeb Babalola
