In its ongoing effort to end kidnapping menace in the country, the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has arrested over 400 kidnappers and rescued many victims from the clutches of criminals, the Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO), Emmanuel Ojukwu, said in Abuja, on Wednesday.
In a statement, Mr. Ojukwu, an Assistant Commissioner of Police, said the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Ogbonna Onovo, has described the payment of ransom to secure the release of kidnap victims as an encouragement of the vice.
The statement cited Mr. Onovo’s displeasure with payment of ransom to the kidnappers, saying that the IGP has warned that the police would take “serious action against persons who encourage the vice” by ensuring such payment.
It, however, urged that cases of abduction should be reported promptly to the police, saying that useful information has helped the police and “the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has over 400 kidnappers in its custody and had rescued many victims from the clutches of criminals,” the statement added.
Also at its secretariat yesterday, the Lagos State Council of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), has maintained that it was optimistic that the four kidnapped journalists and driver would soon regain their freedom.
“Government should, however, rise up to tackle the problem of kidnapping,” said Deji Elumoye, the council’s vice-chairman.
No freedom yet
Speaking while receiving the delegations on solidarity visits from the state government and the Council of Lagos State Indigenes, Mr. Elumoye said that the national secretariat of the NUJ had temporarily relocated to Umuahia to address the problem. He also narrated how the union’s national president, Garba Mohammed, had received a call at 9 a.m. today from the kidnappers and was allowed to speak with the chairman of the state council, Wahab Oba.
“They are taking good care of us, but nothing is as good as having our freedom”, the vice chairman quoted Mr. Oba as saying.
According to the Lagos State delegation, which was led by the commissioner for information, Opeyemi Bamidele, “there is no reason for anyone, either for physical gains or to heighten the tension in the country, to allow himself or herself to be driven into doing the obnoxious crime.”
According to him, the state government is working with the federal government and other security agencies to ensure the safe return of the NUJ leaders.
“Kidnapping for ransom, trying to endanger lives and property in any manner, is not capable of providing employment or putting money into the pockets of people”, Mr. Bamidele said.
The commissioner, on behalf of the state governor, Babatunde Fashola, expressed the state government’s solidarity with the NUJ.
The convener of the Council of Lagos State Indigenes, Sumbo Onitiri, also expressed shock at the incident and advised the National Assembly to hasten the passage of the Freedom of Information (FOI) and anti-terrorism bills.
He described the incident as a “national menace” and suggested the passage of other bills that could improve the welfare of Nigerians.
An assistant director (Information), Office of Lagos State deputy governor, and a former president of the National Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), Toro Oladapo, who accompanied the NUJ officials, consoled the wives of the kidnapped men, assuring them that their husbands would soon be released.
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