By Chuks Madueke
The recent kidnapping of some journalists in Abia State has once again thrown the issue of abductions in the country to the front burner.

The incident also exposed the inefficient security network in the country.  For a nation that will soon attain the golden age of fifty, it is indeed a shame that kidnapping remains a major criminal prospect and catalyst.

The spate of kidnapping incidents across the nation is indeed worrisome.  No doubt, the ugly trend has reached an alarming proportion such that it has become a source of embarrassment to not just the government but Nigerian people home and abroad.  No day passes without incidents of kidnapping in the country.  With victims ranging from babies to the aged, the ignoble crime thrives.

It is sad that what began as a political weapon by a section of the country to press home their demand for resource control has rather evolved into such a monstrous vocation.  Perhaps with its commercial value, the lure to engage in such criminal activity is high and attractive.  And with victims apparently meeting up ransom demands, kidnapping provides a flourishing link to criminals desperate to acquire wealth.

However, one burning question that has continued to agitate the minds of Nigerians is when the authorities will end this nefarious business.  Another question is what the police are doing to check this ominous trend in the society.

With our inherent attitude of searching for scapegoats, it is not surprising that the police force has already taken a large chunk of blames for this sad development in the country.  But are the police to blame? Indeed this question is imperative and necessary towards our quest for a lasting solution to the repulsive drift.

Over the years, the police force has become the butt of criticisms over the porous security apparatus in the country.  Every crime is heaped at the doorsteps of the force for lack of efficiency and several other reasons that confound logical minds.  So it is indeed not surprising that the escalation of kidnapping in the country has equally seen the force being castigated and guillotined.

However, it is important that we critically look at the factors that have given rise to crime in the society especially the high wave of kidnapping that has made everyone vulnerable and scared.  Government policies and legislations in recent times have not helped matters in areas of internal security.

For instance, social security in the country is non-existent in every aspect with the situation being compounded by high incidence of unemployment in the country.

One is therefore compelled to ask what the relationship between poverty and crime is in the country.  Of course, crime will continue to thrive in a country where the socio-economic indices and infrastructure is zero.

Graduates roam the streets without jobs, even with several of them being unemployable because of the poor standard of education they acquire from the schools.  The situation is so complex and frightening.

Also what are the legislations to check kidnapping in the country?  And how far has the judiciary coped with the rising craze?  It is also arguable that the death penalty being advocated by certain quarters may not really deter kidnappers especially in view of the fact that state governors have continued to shy away from enforcing death warrants of condemned prisoners for obvious political expediencies.

Against such unpatriotic background by the governors, there is no guarantee that they will enforce same against kidnappers.  So what stringent punishments should we legislate to tackle this menace?

The role of the judiciary over checking the threats posed by kidnapping activities in the country is also in doubt.  With the slow dispensation of justice at the courts, kidnappers would continue to carry on their activities.  Special courts should be set up to expedite the processes for quick trials and convictions of kidnappers.

One other worrisome fact that has encouraged kidnapping in the country is the indiscriminate sales of SIM cards by mobile telephone operators in the country.  It is indeed sad that SIM cards are sold without proper regulations.  Nigeria Communication Commission, NCC, is supposed to regulate the activities of the service providers by ensuring that their activities do not breach national security.

Subscribers of such services should be registered with guidelines that will enhance internal security.  Using biometrics and pictures of the subscribers by the operators should be one step to regulate and enforce such an exercise.  This should also be subjected to verification by the regulating body.

Against some of these glaring facts, one can see that the police as usual have become scapegoats once more.  With lack of funds, armament, equipment, machinery, accommodation, welfare and adequate personnel, the police are still expected to perform.  It is indeed sad that the police force cannot even boast of walkie-talkies where their contemporaries all over the globe use CCTVs to monitor crime.  Yet they are expected to perform magic.

Is it not shameful that government has not provided an enabling environment for the police force to boast of even a tracking devise that would enhance its operations and check the high incidence of kidnapping?  The State Security Services also has questions to answer in this high incidence of kidnapping activities.  What have been their roles in combating kidnapping?

What intelligence reports have they been able to provide the police with towards this end?    Yet for some time, we have been hearing about police reforms and funding.  But how far has the government gone to address the issues contained in this white paper?  How expedient has the legislature deemed it to give impetus to this matter of national interest?

What is causing the delay in the release of adequate funds to the police to operate? The issues of security should also not be left in the hands of the police only but should be the sole responsibility of every citizen.  Nigerians should be security conscious especially taking note of every development within their immediate environment.  Traditional rulers, town unions, councilors, local government chairmen and the state government should all be effectively involved in security matters within their respective domains.

Although state governors have been sustaining security efforts by the police in their respective states, yet more should be done by galvanizing a credible synergy and working relationship with their constituents to effectively combat crime.  Also the police should not relent in their efforts to combat crime even in the face of obvious lack of motivation and severe working environment.

Indeed kudos should be given to the Inspector General of Police, Ogbonna Onovo for his steadfastness and resolve to stop kidnapping in our society even without adequate funding and tools.