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THE Nigerian Guild of Editors, NGE, is worried over the upsurge in kidnapping across Nigeria, which seems to have become a national menace that has negatively impacted on the social and economic life of the country. The NGE noted that the vice had assumed a very dangerous dimension thereby “portraying the country negatively in the eye of the global community, with the potential of scaring foreign investors, at a time their contribution is crucial to revamping the country’s ailing economy.”
The Guild said that attracting foreign direct investment was a critical factor in reflating the nation’s sagging economy and pointed out that this might not be achieved, given the rising tide of kidnapping in the country because no investor would want to invest in an insecure environment.
The NGE, in a communiqué issued after its fourth quarterly standing committee meeting on Friday, December 2, 2016, in Yola, Adamawa State, cited names of some prominent Nigerians who were abducted recently to buttress its point. Mentioned are
Margaret Emefiele, wife of Godwin Emefiele, governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Bagudu Hirse, a former minister; a senior official of the NNPC, John Adeyi, a reverend father, some students and teachers in Lagos State; Iyuadoo Tor-Agbidye, a female journalist working in Benue State, among other abductions that have taken place.
“In the light of these occurrences, the Guild urges the federal government to, as a matter of urgency, re-jig its security apparatchik and develop a pro-active security strategy that will checkmate the menace. It is equally desirable for the government to urgently evolve anti-kidnapping measures and legislations, in order to combat the current wave of crimes and criminality in Nigeria.
“The Guild commends the initiatives of some state governments in setting up special squads with proven records of trailing, tracking and arresting kidnappers and, therefore, urges other States to take a cue from these success stories.
“The Guild also recommends the strengthening of the justice system to engender speedy prosecution of kidnap suspects to serve as a deterrent to other criminally-minded persons.
“In the same vein, the Guild urges security agencies to be alive to their responsibility of providing adequate security to the citizens by weeding out from among them the bad elements who have the propensity to aid and abet criminals,” the communiqué said.
Nevertheless, the NGE communiqué signed by Funke Egbemode, president and Victoria Ibanga, secretary, said it would serve the government well to double its efforts in arresting the rising wave of crimes and criminality in order to restore peace in the country.
The Guild also used the same medium to appreciate the government and good people of Adamawa State for hosting its fourth quarterly meeting.
— Dec 5, 2016 @ 14:20 GMT
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