|
We can't confront criminals, South-East govs tell Jonathan
By Ihuoma Chiedozie, Abuja
The governors of the five South-East states on Monday told President Goodluck Jonathan that they lacked the capability to confront kidnappers and sundry criminals operating in the zone.
They are Peter Obi (Anambra); Ikedi Ohakim (Imo); Sullivan Chime (Enugu); Martin Elechi (Ebonyi); and Theodore Orji (Abia).
The governors, who led a delegation of leaders of thought from the zone on a visit to the President, urged Jonathan to use federal might to deal with the high level of insecurity in the South-East.
The South-East delegation, which also included former state governors from the region, royal fathers, clerics, current and former members of the National Assembly, political leaders and top government officials, met with the President at the State House.
Although members of the delegation presented a number of requests, including a call for greater federal presence in the zone, their appeal centered mostly on the issue of insecurity.
Ohakim told journalists after the closed door meeting that the state governments lacked the capacity to effectively combat kidnapping.
"There is no particular state government that has the capacity to match these criminals (kidnappers) except with the federal might," he said.
Ohakim also defended the South-East governors in the face of criticism over the alarming rate of kidnapping and related criminal activities in the zone.
In defending himself and his colleagues, Ohakim said, "The South-East governors are doing their best; what we have is a national calamity.
"It has nothing to do with the South-East; I believe the issue of capacity should be looked into. What is happening is beyond the capacity of individual states.
"The types of arms and ammunition at the disposal of the criminals and professionalism of the criminals are beyond the capacities of the states.
"And come to think of it, the problem of kidnapping is now technology-driven and so it is a technical calamity which has to be tackled technologically.
"So, it is beyond what the states or local governments can handle."
Ohakim, however, noted that the governors were doing their best to combat the escalating crime rate in the zone, adding that kidnapping would be totally contained in a short while.
In a letter presented to the President, the South-East leaders also appealed to the Federal Government to pay "special security attention to the zone," in order to combat kidnapping and other violent crimes.
The letter was read by Obi, who is the chairman of the South-East Governors Forum.
"We are heartened that Your Excellency has personally acknowledged the special menace of insecurity in the South-East, with embarrassing manifestations in kidnapping, armed robbery and other violent crimes.
"Although the state governments of our zone have adopted a number of stringent measures to combat the menace, we request you Sir, to accord a special security attention to the zone through logistical interventions and the provision of enhanced security infrastructure to sustainably address the situation," the letter said.
The South-East leaders, who protested the decline in the rate of federal appointments for Ndigbo, asked the President to correct the situation.
"We are concerned that some of the commissions and agencies headed only recently by South-Easterners are now being progressively replaced by our brothers and sisters from other zones whenever changes are made in the headship of such commissions.
"Some examples include the headship of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Bureau of Public Enterprises, National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, Central Bank of Nigeria, Nigeria Immigration Service, among others," they added.
The delegation further alleged that "the South-East is not proportionately represented at the Supreme Court in spite of a large number of qualified legal luminaries in the South-East or even at the Appeal Courts."
They also called for an additional state in the South-East and drew attention to ecological problems in the zone as well as the need for the construction of the Second Niger Bridge.
Other requests include the rehabilitation of federal roads in the South-East; upgrading of the Akanu Ibiam Airport in Enugu to international status; and the reactivation of the Enugu coal mines.
They also asked the Federal Government to facilitate the exploration of crude oil and gas deposits in Anambra, Ebonyi and Enugu states, noting that these natural resources could serve as strategic national reserves.
They said, "We also seek Mr. President's kind consideration to reactivate the Enugu depot of the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation, which has not been functioning."
Responding to the requests, the President said the Federal Government was determined to tackle the problem of insecurity across the country.
"We are very concerned about the issue of security, and with the various options available to us, we are gradually getting on top of the situation," Jonathan assured the delegation.
The President also told the South-East leaders that he had directed the Federal Ministry of Environment to provide funds in the next budget for the fight against erosion in the country, because the ecological funds were inadequate.
He added that Vice-President Namadi Sambo would be mandated to critically examine the various ecological fund projects to ensure their proper execution and timely completion.
The President said the Second Niger Bridge would be funded like any other federal projects, because of its critical role as a link between the South-East and other parts of the country. Jonathan also said that the rehabilitation of various road projects across the country would continue.
Jonathan further assured the delegation that all their concerns would receive due attention from appropriate federal ministries and departments.
Source: Punch, 20th July 2010.
We will tackle security problems in S-East – Jonathan
By Daniel Idonor
ABUJA—PRESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan yesterday reiterated the determination of the Federal Government to tackle the problem of security in the country, particularly in the South-East geo-political zone.
The President was responding to concerns of leaders from the South East, who paid a solidarity visit to State House, Abuja.
"We are very concerned about the issue of security, and with the various options available to us, we are gradually getting on top of the situation", he assured the delegation.
To see more photos click here
President Jonathan also told the South East leaders that he had directed the Ministry of Environment to provide funds in the next Federal Government budget for the fight against erosion in the country, because the Ecological Funds were inadequate.
He added that Vice President Namadi Sambo would take a critical look at the various Ecological Fund projects to ensure proper execution and timely completion.
The President said the second Niger Bridge would be funded like any other Federal project, because of its critical role as a link between the South East and other parts of country, and that efforts at the rehabilitation of various road projects would continue.
He assured the delegation that all their concerns would receive due attention from the appropriate ministries and departments of Government, emphasizing that he does not believe in reserving specific positions in Government for particular areas, but preferred to ensure constitutional balance.
Earlier, Mr. Peter Obi, Governor of Anambra State and Chairman of the South East Governors' Forum, had listed the zone's requests to include security concerns, massive erosion, the second Niger Bridge, the need for a truly international status for the Enugu airport, federal appointments, reactivation of the Enugu coal mines and the state of federal roads.
Members of the delegation included Governors of the five South East States, Mr. Sullivan Chime of Enugu, Mr. Theodore Orji of Abia, Chief Ikedi Ohakim of Imo, Chief Martin Elechi of Ebonyi and Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, former Vice President, Dr. Alex Ekwueme, former Senate Presidents Anyim Pius Anyim and Ken Nnamani, former Governors, traditional rulers and religious leaders.
In their letter of demands read to Jonathan by Chairman of South-East Governors Forum and Anambra state governor, Peter Obi, the leaders said:
"We are heartened that Your Excellency has personally acknowledged the special menace of insecurity in the Southeast zone with embarrassing manifestations in kidnapping, armed robbery and other violent crimes.
"Although the state governments of our zone have adopted a number of stringent measures to combat the menace, we request you sir, to accord a special security attention to the zone through logistical interventions and the provision of enhanced security infrastructure to sustainably address the situation".
Another issue brought to the attention of the President was the appointment of South-Easterners into federal establishments; a development they assert has been declining.
"We are concerned that some of the Commissions and agencies headed by only recently by South-Easterners are now progressively replaced by our brothers and sisters from other zones whenever changes are made in the headship of such commissions.
"Some examples include the headship of Independent National Electoral Commission, Bureau of Public Enterprises, and National Agency for Foods and Drugs Administration, Central Bank of Nigeria, Nigeria Immigration Service, among others".
The leaders further decried that "the South-East is not proportionately represented at the Supreme Court in spite of large number of qualified legal luminaries in the South-East or even at the Appeal Courts", and urged Jonathan to correct the disparities.
Aside asking for additional state for the South-East zone, the delegation pleaded for federal attention to ecological problems in the zone; construction of the Second Niger Bridge and rehabilitation of federal roads in the South-East; upgrading of the Akanu Ibiam Airport in Enugu to international status and the reactivation of the Enugu coal mines.
They also demanded the federal government facilitates the exploration of crude oil and gas deposits in Anambra, Ebonyi and Enugu states, since they belive the deposits there couls serve as national strategic reserve for future use.
"We also seek Mr. President's kind consideration to reactivate the Enugu depot of the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) which has not been functioning", the leaders added.
Source: This Day, 20th July 2010.
Two policemen, four-kidnap squad arrested in Umuahia
Ugochukwu Eke, Umuahia with Agency Reports
Two policemen have been arrested for their involvement in kidnapping and armed robbery in Abia state.
Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) in charge of zone 9 in Umuahia, Hafiz Ringim disclosed the arrests in Umuahia while briefing journalists on the activities of the police on tracking down kidnappers in the state.
Ringim said that the duo are being investigated and that if found guilty will be made to face the full wrath of the law.
Also, a four man gang that specialises in kidnapping across the country were caught by security operatives in a localty called Masaka in Nassarawa state.
Nigerian Police spokesman, Emmanuel Ojukwu said in Abuja that members of the gang between ages of 20 and 24 were caught and already "in our custody and undergoing interrogation.
"They boys were arrested by operatives of the State Security Service (SSS) while trying to receive a N500, 000 ransom from the family of one of their victims in Masaka area of Nassarawa state.
Ringim said in Umuahia that the police discovered military-built bunker located in some buildings some parts of the state, adding that they will investigate how they were built and for what purpose.
He said that the discovery was made during their on-going police operation to flush out kidnappers and armed robbers in the state especially in Obingwa area of the state.
The AIG said that the police expecting to discover more of such bunkers and buildings where kidnapped victims are taken to once they are kidnapped.
He said such hide-outs will be destroyed.
Ringim also maintained that all kidnappers that have been terrorising the state including those who kidnapped the four journalists and their driver will be exposed and brought to book.
Ringim assured the people of Abia state and entire Zone 9 under his command that the tensed security situation in the state has been brought under control, stressing that there is every need for a team work against crimes in the area.
He said: "There is every need for all the citizens in Abia and the entire zone 9 to help the police by giving them (police ) useful information to tackle kidnapping and armed robbery in the area.
"You know that the police are not spirits and do not work in isolation. We need information from people to work and we can not work alone, so we need all the help we can get from all angles to work well."
On the Nassarawa gang, the four of them confessed that they recently kidnapped two people in Nyanya in the outskirt of Abuja and collected a ransom of N500, 000 from the family of one their victims
One of the victims was kidnapped in Nyanya area, a border town between the federal capital territory and Nassarawa state as he was driving out of a petrol station.
The second victim was travelling to Jos when he was kidnapped by the gang.
The two victims were then taken to a bush in Masaka area of Nassarawa state where they were held hostage for four days.
Mr. Ojukwu said that more than 600 persons have been arrested for kidnapping in different parts of the country adding that the strike by the courts delayed their prosecution. He said some of the kidnappers had been charged to court and their cases were on-going.
Source: The Nation, 20th July 2010.
Back
Kidnapping: If we must win the war
By Dan Onwukwe
You probably know the story all too well, the shock and awe to a nation in dire need of good governance,
the excruciating pains that their abductors have brought upon their families and loved ones. As each passing day brings fresh details, yet the frantic search has not led to the release of the journalists kidnapped since July 11. One thing is however clear: money is indeed the most driving motivation by the kidnappers.
Among journalists, unpleasant happenings are considered as part of the hazards of the job. Deprivations are perhaps certain. In most newsrooms, the feeling of the last one week is that of a deep sense of pain and morbid fear to venture out on any kind of assignment. Not even the thoughts of going home early from office gives any joy of escape.
No place feels safe anymore, not just for journalists but the entire citizenry. All of this pointedly paints a compellingly unpleasant portrait of the atmosphere of insecurity that currently pervades the land. It's like we are soldiers walking on minefields. The pains don't match the joy.
The spate of kidnapping in the South East, especially in Abia State, the self-style God's own state and Imo State, the so-called Eastern heartland, typifies the present state of anomie. The truth of the matter (with no puns intended) is that some of the South Eastern states have become imprisoned by their past. For instance, while Imo is now arguably the Heartland of kidnapping, Abia state, currently the most reported state (for the wrong reasons) has undoubtedly become the haven of kidnappers. Are you surprised that Abia in particular, is now the enticing haven for kidnappers? Nothing happens by accident, not even accident itself.
The present state of affairs in Abia state that culminated in the kidnap of journalists at Umuafor Ukwu in Ngwa land, is something long foretold. If in doubt, drive through Aba, the commercial nerve centre of the state, you will be terrified by the seeds of disaster now making people hostages to kidnappers. The neighbouring Imo isn't different. It is therefore little surprise when the two states were recently listed by the World Bank sub-regional publication, Doing Business Report among the "most unfriendly states of doing business in Nigeria.
But that is not to say that Abia and Imo are the "axis of evil" in Nigeria. It is because the spate of kidnapping has proved to be a big, big, monster, proving immeasurably more complicated to deal with. It is because what started as a small 'crime', a means of drawing attention to perceive government neglect has blossomed into a lucrative trade, perhaps surpassing easy money made by politicians in Nigeria. Now it has become such a festering sore because those who should, by their call of duty, deal with it, are either complicit in it or are direct sponsors of kidnapping.
That's why the South East has sadly become the den of kidnappers. One of the distressingly puzzling things about these states is that virtually everyone seems to know someone who knows someone who has a tale to tell about how this criminality is perpetrated and those behind it. Still none wants to volunteer intelligence on how to get the culprits. It is because the informant may not live to relive his experience. Dead men don't tell tales. That's why getting to know the hideout where the journalists are held has taken this awful time.
Forgive me if I quote myself. But I do so only to show that for any keen follower of events in the South East, like Monrovia or Somalia, the descent into anarchy followed this similar surreal trend. In this column three weeks ago, I did mention that the ugly events in Abia which resulted in banks closing shops for some days in Aba and Umuahia, the state capital, for fear of arm robbery attacks and possible kidnap was foreboding enough. "That cannot be comforting at all", I wrote, because business thrives on security and stability." Similar spectacle forced banks to close shop in Okigwe, Imo state in April 21, when a numbing robbery attacks took place simultaneously in nine different banks located in the area. Nothing of such had happened before.
Banking operations in these states is now the most dreaded business to engage in. Again on this page, September 22, 2009 and March 23, 2010, I called attention that evil reports from both Abia and Imo states in terms of the fear of abduction need urgent measures. Prolific columnist, Dr Chidi Amuta, writing on the This Day back page July 1, 2010 entitled, The Abia Tragedy also painted a disturbing but compelling catalogue of the oddities in Abia.
The primary responsibility of a state is the protection of lives and property. But in the last one year, many families in Abia, and indeed, other states in the South East, have had to go through the trauma of their loved ones in the hands of kidnappers. It is not only the pain of paying hefty ransom, it is the fact that the safety of the victims cannot be guaranteed as patience is not a virtue of kidnappers.
Whose responsibility is it to protect us from the kidnappers? Some state governors have failed in providing the basic protection for our people. It is a reflection of the leadership crisis and misgovernance in this country. The police that have the primary responsibility to protect lives and property are at best, partners in this crime. IGP Onovo acknowledged that much last week. As a state correspondent for Champion Newspapers in Abia and Imo between 1992 and 1995, I had a first hand experience of how Police connived with criminals to abet crimes. For example, in November, 1992, I was investigating a case of alleged human headhunters in Isiala Ngwa. To my chagrin, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in the area and one of the traditional rulers warned me that though the story was true, but that my life would be on the line if the story was published.
Also, as a reporter in Imo state, who blew the lid off the 'famous' Otokoto saga, it was shocking to see the revolving door of criminality. It was numbing story of how Imo state lost its innocence through the killing of 11-year old Ikechukwu Okoronkwo. The most revolting thing here was the revelation of how the then police commissioner in Imo state (name withheld) was found complicit by Justice Paul Onumajulu Judicial Inquiry, which probed the Otokoto saga in 1996.
What point am I making here? No criminality like kidnapping can be 'sustained' for long without the police providing cover for the criminals.
The truth is that if the police want to solve any crime puzzle and bring the culprits to book, they can. But, in most cases, they won't because of pecuniary interest. If, today for instance, the IGP today orders the police commissioners in the South East to fish out the kidnappers and their hideouts within one week or lose their job, I bet you they will find the kidnapper. I say so because as a member of the Imo state Media Advisory Council in 1993, I noticed with shock how one of the policemen in the council used to pass intelligence to suspected kidnappers. It was only when the Otokoto saga brought owerri to a stand still with riots that lasted for two days (September 24 – 25, 1996) that the identities of these policemen were known. Which is last week's lashing of the Imo state police commissioner, Mr. Aloysius Okorie, by the IGP Onovo that he (Okorie) has failed to curb the increasing level of criminality in the state, especially kidnapping, makes some sense.
How can a good cop be scoring himself high when the citizens under his command are living in fear every day?
This is the time for the Federal Government to act, and act quickly. It will not be enough to depose traditional rulers found complicit in the incidence of kidnapping, they should be prosecuted. Also state governors found to have aided or abetted kidnapping should be exposed and then prosecuted after leaving office.
Clearly, kidnapping has become a present danger. Its solution must be found beyond the abduction and release of the journalists.
Source: Sun, 20th July 2010.
Back
Kidnapping: South East rulers scandalised - HRH Orji, Anambra traditional ruler
….Blames it on loss of family value
By PETER ANOSIKE
A member of the South-East Council of Traditional Rulers, Igwe Chukwuma Bob-Vincent Orji, has said that his colleagues are highly scandalized by the spate of kidnapping in the zone. Orji, who is the Eze Ugo 11 of Ezinifite in Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State, blamed loss of family values for the main cause of abduction.
He said that traditional rulers in the zone have been putting heads together to find a way out of the embarrassing situation.
According to him, though the traditional rulers have been meeting, government has a lot to do in the matter as all the apparatus of security is in its hands.He also traced lack of obedience to traditional institutions in Igboland to the experiences of the war which turned some of the people of the region to desperadoes.
The traditional ruler also spoke on other national issues.
Exerpts:
Spate of kidnapping in the South East
I want to say that we traditional rulers in Igboland are highly scandalized by the spate of kidnappings in the region. Sincerely speaking, it is a very big embarrassment to us and we have been meeting to find ways out of it. The Igbo are noted for their enterprise. We are hardworking people. There is no part of the world you can compare their entrepreneurial spirit with that of the Igbo. We literally know how to squeeze water from stone to make a legitimate living and that is why we feel highly disturbed when kidnapping came into our region and want to gain ground because we know that it is very strange to us.Personally, I feel that two things are responsible for this.
They are loss of family value and unemployment. I want to say that a lot of our youths have lost sense of family value. They have forgotten what their grandfathers stood for or represented. We never believed in riches at all cost. If you read some of Chinua Achebe's books like Things Fall Apart and the Arrow of God, you will see the philosophy of an average Igbo man. We don't condone evil and we don't worship people that their riches are not legitimate. It is this loss of the Igbo world's view that has given birth to all the bad things that are happening in the region at the moment. The other one is graduate unemployment. You know that most Igbo students pay their way from primary school to the university.
We are not as fortunate as the Yoruba where free education had been part of their educational programme. Some people who went to school in the East do sell lands and other things to go to school and after graduation, there would be no employment. They have sold their lands or borrowed money to go to school with the intention that when they graduate, things would be better. When they graduate and wait for three to four years without employment, frustration would set in and that can lead anybody to any thing. However, that does not justify crime of any sort. In this situation, the government of the day has a role to play to ensure that employment is made available to youths after graduation as this would lead to the reduction of insecurity in the land.
What are the traditional rulers doing?
Well, we have decided that every traditional ruler should investigate his subjects and report those that they are suspecting of being involved in crimes to the law enforcement agencies. As I said earlier, we are embarrassed by the situation and we are ready to play our role as the keepers of culture and tradition to ensure that it stops. We want to get the Igbo world is view before the civil war because we feel that the war, put a lot of panic on Ndi-Igbo as a race. Now, the excuse that everybody is giving is that Igbo are republicans by nature, but after the civil war that we began to hear this. Before the war we know that Igbo show respect to their leaders. We don't even call our elders by their names. But after the war, survival of the fittest became the only way to remain on earth and everybody was struggling to survive after losing everything to the war.
That was partly how we lost our world view and that was how the saying that an Igbo man can do anything for money even selling his own mother.So, we traditional rulers have decided to embark on cultural and world view revival. We want revive our world view so that our children who were born after the civil war would know that it is not true that we measure everything with money.Afterall,the motto of the Igbo is thou shalt not leave thy brother because strength is might. If truly we are republican we would not have this motto.So, we traditional rulers are not happy about the situation and we are determine to play our own part to ensure that it stops. Parents in the same vein should also help in inculcating values to their children. They should begin to tech their children the Igbo world view. We are not materialistic. We believe in our good given industry. Armed robbery, kidnapping and other vices are alien to us. It is never part of our history. It is not even in our folklore so why is it now prevalent in our soil? This is the question that we should be asking ourselves and the answer lies in what I have told you earlier.
Should kidnappers face death penalty?
Well, I am a traditional ruler. We are the custodians of customs and tradition and in the Igbo culture, there is nothing like death sentence. In Igbo tradition, whoever, commits heinous offence is banished and that is what was handed down to us by our ancestors .Therefore, I cannot prescribe death sentence. But government has the right to decide what to do with whoever that is convicted of kidnapping and whatever, government thinks is the best, will be acceptable by we traditional rulers. As I have said we are not happy with the embarrassment it is causing the people of the south East and we will be in support of whatever that would bring it to an end South-East governors
I feel that they have a lot to do in this regard and want to give it to them that they are not sleeping. I am aware that it is giving them sleepless nights. Since they are the Chief Security Officers of their states, they should also think of other security measures that should be put in place. If the police are not well equipped, they could provide more equipment and also try to motivate them so that they would bring out their best. They could also try to involve the masses because those committing these heinous crimes don't live in mars. They don't in the desert. They live in houses and have neighbours.Government can encourage those who want to give information that would lead to the arrest of the kidnappers to come and that their information would be treated with utmost secrecy. This can help in wiping away those that are committing these crimes.
Source: Daily Sun, 21st July 2010.
Back
How to stem kidnapping –Expert
By DAVID ONWUCHEKWA, Nnewi
Dr Jeff Okeke, a security expert has congratulated the Nigeria Police and Federal Government on the release of four journalists and their driver from the den of kidnappers in Abia State. Dr Okeke based in Nnewi, Anambra State and the chief executive officer of All Well Global Digital Security Nigeria Limited, however, said it is not yet Uhuru, adding that government should sit up.
"That the journalists have been released has no meaning because every other day someone else is at the risk of being kidnapped. My thinking is that government should find a way to put a stop to kidnapping in Nigeria. There is a lasting solution if government is ready to embrace it," Okeke said.
He noted that the Nigeria police are doing their best with what he described as the little equipment and materials they have. Dr Okeke said the police are working under a sorry state without adequate arms and ammunition to match the ones used by the hoodlums. He said it was not enough to issue threats to the kidnappers.
The security expert said: "The kidnappers can be bugged when they put a call across. I know that anybody, who is making a call in Nigeria could be located by certain equipment that could be made available to the police.
"I have made proposals to the Federal Government on one or two occasions on how to go about it. If they are willing, I'm ready to assist and I can't say everything on the pages of newspapers."
The American-trained security expert said his contacts are already with the authorities, adding that once kidnappers know that ransom would not be paid and that they could be easily trapped, the crime wave would stop.
"If you kidnap someone and even if you are underground, we will get you out. We have devices that can help the police track down the vehicle, the phone, the money and these devices cannot be make public," Dr Okeke concluded.
Source: Sun, 20th July 2010.
Back
Kidnap Saga: Four Suspects Arrested
•Oba: We saw corpses in the bush
By Gboyega Akinsanmi with agency report, 07.20.2010
Two days after journalists kidnapped in Abia State were released, four suspects have been arrested in connection with the saga.
Force Public Relations Officer Emmanuel Ojukwu confirmed the development.
According to him, those arrested are currently in police custody and are being questioned about their activities.
"Four suspects have been arrested in connection with the kidnap of the four journalists. They are in our custody and undergoing interrogation," AFP quoted Ojukwu as saying.
He did not provide further details.
Chairman Lagos State Council of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) Wahab Oba, Secretary of Zone G NUJ Adolphus Okoronkwo, Acting Secretary NUJ Sylva Okereke, Lagos-based journalist Sola Oyeyipo and their driver Azeez Abdulrauf were abducted for a week.
The journalists were attacked at Umuafouka junction near Ukwakiri in Obingwa Local Government Area (LGA) of the state on July 11.
They were on their way back from a meeting of the National Executive Committee (NEC) of NUJ which took place at Uyo, Akwa Ibom state.
The kidnappers demanded a ransom of N250 million, but eventually released the journalists on Sunday following the heat put on them by the police.
Inspector General of Police Ogbonna Onovo had travelled down to the region. Hordes of policemen were sent after the kidnappers. According to the journalists, they were moved constantly from place to place as the police closed in.
Apparently sensing trouble, they dumped the hostages in the bush and fled. The newsmen were flown to Lagos afterwards.
The abduction caused outrage in Nigeria. The families of the victims were severely traumatised as they pleaded to the government to help them.
As a result of the incident, the traditional ruler of Amaube-Ime Boro Autonomous Community in Ikwuano LGA Eze Vincent Okezie Uche has been dethroned by the Abia State government. He was also charged to court for allegedly sponsoring kidnapping and armed robbery.
Three other traditional rulers namely Eze Okechukwu Atulobi of Osusu Abala Autonomous Community, Eze Nwabiaraije Eneogwe of Ababyi Autono-mous Community and Eze S. Onwukwe of Abala Ibeme Autonomous Community, all in Obingwa LGA were suspended.
Meanwhile, twenty-four hours after he was let off the hook of kidnappers, Oba yesterday confessed that he thought his world had ended when he stumbled into some lifeless human bodies in the forest he held hostage along with four other persons.
He added that the kidnappers had threatened not to allow the 2011 general election in Abia State if the state government "does not address their concerns and fears". They asked the government to explain its failure to pay salaries of the state public servants, lukewarm attitude of the federal government to amnesty programme and high unemployment rate.
Oba said all the kidnapped NUJ officials had lost hope of living at the ugly sight of corpses, which he said, they saw in different parts of the bush where the kidnappers kept them in chains and made to sleep on the grass for one week.
He explained that the kidnappers blindfolded them each time they "moved in the bush. Few times we were allowed to move freely. We saw corpses. We were frightened at the horrible sight of corpses. We did not know how they were killed. We then said if these people could be killed, we were trying to figure out what would happen.
"We even thought the same thing could happen to us. We were so frightened. We also saw that the place was desolate. You can walk for 30 minutes without sign of any movement except the police. If they kill one hundred persons in that bush per day, no person will know. What we saw in the bush terrified and horrified us. I actually saw two corpses.
"But my colleagues saw three corpses in the bush. I am sure there would be avoiding some of these corpses. For us to see three, it means it was inevitable that we must pass through that path. When our faces were covered, we might pass by a number of corpses in the desolate forest where the kidnappers held us," the chairman said.
On 2011 elections, Oba revealed the resolve of the kidnappers to disrupt the next elections and that they would not allow the elections to take place in Abia State at all unless the governments adequately address their concerns and fears contained in a sheet of paper the kidnappers handed over to the kidnapped shortly before their release.
Oba said the paper "contains different issues, which they said pushed them into kidnapping. The kidnappers accused the Abia State Government of not paying salaries. They also cited the lukewarm attitude of the federal government to amnesty programme. They accused the governments of marginalizing their communities. They complained about unemployment rate and high poverty level in the country. They promise to continue kidnapping until their concerns and fears are addressed."
He commended the Nigeria Police despite their challenges and obvious constraints, but called on the federal government "to do more for the Nigeria Police, more especially as we approach the 2011 general elections. The federal government must work harder to ensure that we have credible elections in the country."
Source: This Day, 20th July 2010.
Back
21 suspected kidnappers, 25 cultists arrested in
Abuja, Delta
By Sola Adebayo and Adelani Adepegba
The police and operatives of the State Security Service in the Federal Capital Territory have arrested a total of 21 suspected kidnappers and 25 cultists.
While the Delta Command of the Police picked up 17 suspected kidnappers and 25 culprits from different parts of the state, the SSS in Abuja nabbed four suspects who allegedly abducted a civil servant and a businessman.
The Delta suspects were paraded before newsmen in Asaba, the state capital, on Tuesday, as a prelude to their arraignment in court for prosecution.
The Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr. Yakubu Alkali, gave the names of the victims of the suspected kidnappers to include Madams Afuenya Abaja and Elizabeth Ngeligu as well as Mrs. Stella Dafinone, Mrs. Queen Ogboru and Mrs. Malechi Odozi.
Alkali said the suspected kidnappers were apprehended from different locations in the state, adding that the feat was made possible by the support of members of the public who volunteered information to the security agency.
He said the gang which abducted Queen and Odozi had demanded N400,000 and N30,000 ransom sums respectively, before the police swooped on them at a hide-out.
He identified the suspected kidnappers to include, Fedelis Ojugbale, Chinedu Oruya, Ediki Ogeraga, Julius Onoameya, Odrehohwo Egieta, Lucky Atunusha, Henry Owokpite, Favour Akpowma and Nicholas Odu.
Others, according to Delta CP are: Fidelis Ochuko, Kelvin Itejere, Kelly Ochuko Jonathan, Joseph Enakpodia, and Daniel Akeghe.
Furthermore, Alkali stated that Madams Abaja and Ngeligu were kidnapped by a12-man gang at Umukwuata in Ukwuani Local Government Area of the state.
In the Abuja arrests, the suspects were at the point of collecting the N500,000 ransom they demanded from the families of their victims when they were nabbed by SSS operatives.
The members of the kidnap gang include Ifeanyi Chukwuka, Ezebunwa Ogbonna (a.k.a Oceanic), Nkem Nna, and James Chinweikpe.Parading the suspected kidnappers in Abuja on Tuesday, the SSS Director, FCT Command Headquarters, Mr. Mike Fubara, said they had asked for a ransom of N50m through their leader, identified as Chukwudi who was still at large, before reducing it to N.5m.
According to Fubara, investigation have shown that most kidnap cases in the FCT were perpetrated by non–residents who lodged in small hotels in the suburbs, posing as construction workers which enable them to come and go at will without the management of such hotels suspecting their activities.
While promising that the service, alongside other security operatives would do everything possible to rid the FCT of such hoodlums, Fubara appealed to members of the public to always alert security operatives on the activities of persons they suspect.
Source: Punch, 21st July 2010.
Back
Kidnapping, akin to terrorism — Akunyili
By Everest Amaefule, Abuja
Minister of Information and Communication, Prof. Dora Akunyili, has described kidnapping as a form of
terrorism and blackmail against the state.
She spoke in her office in Abuja at a reception organised by the ministry for four journalists and their driver, who were freed last Sunday after being held by kidnappers for a week.
Akunyili said, "Kidnapping is clearly a form of terrorism and organised blackmail against constituted authority. Therefore, the time is now for all Nigerians to resist this imported culture designed to frustrate Nigeria's development."
Akunyili said kidnapping was alien to the Nigerian environment and had constituted a serious affront to the values and culture of Nigerians.
"Kidnapping is not only making life unsafe, it is also stunting our economic growth by scaring away potential local and foreign investors. This totally negates the Rebranding Nigeria Project
"We are all worried about unemployment, but how can we improve on this with the level of insecurity that kidnapping generates? Even when investors dare to move into the lion's den, they end up shutting shop when workers are kidnapped."
She added, "In some states, especially in the South-East, factories are closing down. People no longer visit their villages. Social and economic activities are grinding to a halt. We should be worried.
"We cannot continue like this, if we have to survive as a nation. It is not the responsibility of government alone to fight this hydra-headed monster.
"While we applaud the efforts of security agencies, the Federal Government believes that securing the release of those kidnapped is not enough.
"A permanent solution must be found. Nigeria and Nigerians cannot afford to have our image further battered through acts that reinforce the belief that our country is unsafe."
Akunyili said that with the development, the registration of Subscriber Identification Module cards had become imperative.
She added that the Nigerian Communications Commission and telecoms companies must check the reported incidence of fresh subscribers using false names to register SIM cards, adding that this would frustrate the purpose of the exercise.
Also speaking, the Minister of State for Information and Communciations, Mr. Labaran Maku, called on the National Assembly to pass the Freedom of Information bill.
Labaran said the release of the journalists from captivity offered an opportunity to call on the National Assembly to ensure the passage of the Freedom of Information Bill in order to reduce the dangers faced by journalists in the pursuit of their professional duties.
According to him, the risk that journalists face in the course of performing their duties will be reduced if the National Assembly quickly passes the FOI bill.
He said, "Journalists are always the target of everything bad. During the civil war, journalists were shaved with broken bottles for reporting the truth.
"In 1986, a high profile journalist (Mr. Dele Giwa) was killed with a letter bomb, for the first time in the history of the country. During the military junta of the late Gen. Sani Abacha, a journalist, Bagauda Kalto, was killed in a mysterious way at Hamdala Hotel, Kano.
"When we make mistakes as journalists, we should be taken to court and not subjected to harassment. We call on the National Assembly to pass the Freedom of Information bill. We need this bill now."
While narrating his experience, one of the kidnapped journalists, Mr. Adolphus Okonkwo, disclosed that some of them repented in captivity.
Source: Punch, 21st July 2010.
Back
CAN wants stiff sanction against kidnappers
FROM LAOLU AKANDE (NEW YORK), SEYE OLUMIDE AND CHRIS IREKAMBA (LAGOS)
THE Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has asked to the Federal Government to tighten the noose against kidnappers and their sponsors to serve as a detriment to masterminds of such heinous crimes.
Making the appeal yesterday while speaking to reporters in Lagos, the CAN's President, Ayo Oritsejafor, added that those sponsoring kidnappers as well as communities where such acts were perpetuated should be made to face the wrath of the law.
Meanwhile, United States (U.S.)-based Nigerian public commentator and PRONACO leader, Dr. Baba Adam, has backed the call by the Senate President David Mark to declare a State of Emergency in the South-East region of the country based on the report that the governors and leaders from the region have openly declared that they are unable to provide adequate security in their states.
Stating his immediate priorities in office, Oritsejafor said the first three major tasks he would focus on is to ensure unity in the church, looking critically at the causes and means of resolving incessant religious crises in the northern part of the country and to ensure that public officers who were Christians and members of denominations under the umbrella of CAN are accountable for their deeds in office.
He lamented that kidnapping was affecting the image of the country adversely among the comity of nations and that government should come out with utmost penalty to discourage it.
He said the issue of amnesty is not applicable to kidnappers because it is a criminal offence that must be extremely discouraged.
On the unity of the church, Oritsejafor said that the body of Christ in the country was not as united as people were thinking, adding: "That is one of the reason it has been very difficult, if not impossible, for the church to influence government policies or take a decisive stance. I have started consultations on how to make the church unite and be able to speak with one voice."
He added that consultations had started with relevant bodies and personalities on the way to stop or reduced religious crises in the North immediately he assumed the CAN's Presidency.
According to him, "If we fail to address the issue of frequent religious crises in the northern part of the country, I am afraid that no nation has ever survived such crisis and Nigeria case may not be an exception. It is a matter of getting to the root of the cause of the crisis and ensuring that it is tackled."
Oritsejafor said corruption had caused the nation so much losses and needed to be addressed.
"What I am considering is to use the machinery of the church like preaching constantly against corruption, identifying public office holders in the churches and interacting with them on the need to fight corruption in the system and holding them accountable if and when they were found culpable in the act," he added.
On President Goodluck Jonathan's alleged bid to contest the 2011 polls, Oritsejafor said though the President had the constitutional right as a citizen of Nigeria to contest, he, however, said the President's priorities for now should be on good governance and resolving some critical national problems like poor power supply, unemployment and poverty, among others.
"If he succeeds, these will determine his chances," he asserted.
He, however, expressed contrary opinion towards the desire of former Head of State, General Ibrahim Babangida, to contest for the presidency next year.
According to him, "I don't think Babangida should contest if he really loves this country. He has reached the position of an elder-statesman whose focus should be to advice the younger generations."
He also called on Nigerians to take the coming election with all seriousness, saying: "Our vote is our weapon, it is our right and it must be used rightly. Do not sell it to any politicians; otherwise, it is our future and the country we are selling. It is a matter of must for every qualified person to register, vote and stand by his or her vote." ead Head kkk
In an open letter to the Vice President, the U.S. PRONACO leader stated: "If the news is true that the governors cannot guarantee safety, then they are admitting that they cannot confront the rising wave of criminal activities in the region."
South East governors and leaders met recently with President Goodluck Jonathan expressing frustrations and inability to confront the deterioration of security in their states.
Adam, also a university administrator in the U.S., added that while the Nigerian Constitution clearly assigns the security and welfare of the people as the primary purpose of government, if the governors cannot provide their basic constitutional duty or responsibility, then the call by the Senate President for declaration of State of Emergency in those states may not be totally out of order."
Source: The Guardian, 21st July 2010.
Back
Why kidnapping thrives, by Akunyili, ASUU president
FROM NKECHI ONYEDIKA AND MOHAMMED ABUBAKAR, ABUJA
THE Federal Government has appealed to the governors of the South-South and South-East to come together and evolve a coordinated strategy to deal with the rising crime rate in the zones, considering its implications for peace and business growth in the country.
Describing kidnapping as a form of terrorism and organised blackmail to constituted authority, government urged Nigerians to rise up against the menace and resist payment of ransom since it is the major attraction to kidnapping as a business.
Speaking when she hosted the four kidnapped journalists and their driver, who were released last Sunday by their abductors, Minister of Information and Communications, Dora Akunyili, lamented that kidnapping i
s not only making life most unsafe, it is also stunting the nation's economic growth and scaring potential local and foreign investors.
"In some states, especially in the South-East, factories are closing up, people no longer visit their villages, social and economic activities are grinding to a halt. Kidnapping is fast destroying our common good and we cannot continue this way if we have to survive as a nation. It is not the responsibility of government alone to fight this hydra-headed monster, but our collective responsibility to say no to kidnapping," she said.
Also reacting to the spate of abductions, the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) yesterday blamed the high wave of corruption on highly placed politicians and some top military brass. It accused them of using kidnapping as a political weapon.
In the statement issued in Abuja, the National President of ASUU, Prof. Ukachukwu Awuzie, said that the police as presently organised, can not adequately protect the citizenry, insisting that the nation's security agencies needed serious reorganisation to serve productive and security needs of the people.
Although the statement did not name those behind the ugly development, it warned that until corruption is wiped out in the Nigeria Police Force, the fight against kidnapping would remain a mirage.
Akunyili stated that kidnapping is alien to the Nigerian environment and had constituted serious affront to societal values and culture, adding that the trauma the victims and their families go through are beyond description.
The minister said that the development has brought to the fore, the need for the country to pursue vigorously, the SIM card registration exercise. She said if the SIM cards used by the kidnappers were properly registered, it would have been easier to track them down in good time.
She stressed that in order to arrest the ugly trend, government would extend its tentacles not only to kidnappers but also people who aid kidnapping. " If you are taking food to somebody in the forest or uncompleted building, who do you think you are taking the food to?" she said.
Earlier, while narrating their ordeal in the hands of the kidnappers, one of the victims, Adolphus Okonkwo, who likened their traumatic experience to that of people who were delivered from the valley of shadow of death, said that the kidnappers claimed to be freedom fighters and that they want government to create employment opportunities, build infrastructure, implement fully the amnesty programme and make life more meaningful for Nigerians.
Another victim, who is the Lagos Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Wahab Oba, explained that the N3 million reported to have been taken from them by the kidnappers was a conservative estimate of valuables they had in their car excluding the car itself, which was bought not too long ago at the cost of N2.4 million. He added that only N1 million cash given to them by a governor was collected by their abductors.
In his statement, the ASUU boss said: "Kidnapping as a political weapon in the Niger Delta was sponsored by highly placed politicians and top military brass, but now kidnapping has become a weapon in the hands of criminal gangs in order to extort big money directly for themselves, rather than as errand boys of the well to do. Kidnapping has now been extended to innocent citizens such as the NUJ officials, lecturers and any citizen who can be used to extort money.
"Now that the latest victims of kidnapping have been freed, there is need for deeper reflection on the causes of this phenomenon on our national life. Kidnapping as a weapon for the enrichment of individual and gangs can be traced to some features of our national life, chief among which is the endemic poverty caused by the failure of Nigeria's rulers to create an economic well being for all Nigerians.
"Since independence, the army and police have served more as agencies for the oppression and suppression of the people, and rarely as agencies for protecting the people. In any well-functioning state, the president would not need to threaten the police chief to secure the freedom of citizens.
"The problem of kidnapping is deeply political, a feature of the failure of the state and its coercive institutions. Within this context, ASUU, while condemning kidnapping and armed banditry, and congratulating all Nigerians, groups and individuals who had called for and worked for the release of the most recent victims, insist that we must address the causes by again reminding Nigerians that the problem with Nigeria is the state, which must be overhauled.
"There must be established a welfare state where there would be jobs, houses, healthcare, qualitative education and security for every citizen."
Source: The Guardian, 21st July 2010.
Back
Police parade suspected kidnappers, others in Delta
FROM HENDRIX OLIOMOGBE (ASABA) AND TERHEMBA DAKA (ABUJA)
THE war against cultism and kidnappings has recorded some successes in Delta State as the state police
command yesterday paraded 17 suspected kidnappers and 25 cultists.
Meanwhile, disturbed by the rising wave of abductions across the country, the Human Rights Writers' Association of Nigeria, (HURIWA), has charged President Goodluck Jonathan to constitute a judicial commission of inquiry to probe the alleged involvement of security operatives in the crime, with a view to prosecuting indicted officials.
Besides, HURIWA, in a statement by its National Coordinator, Emmanuel Onwubiko and National Director of Media Affairs, Miss. Zainab Yusuf, described the mass transfer of policemen, including two police commissioners in Abia and Anambra states by the police hierarchy for failing to combat kidnapping in those states as "a slap in the wrists, cosmetic and "grossly insufficient."
Parading the suspects before reporters at the police headquarters, Commissioner of Police, Delta State, Yakubu Alkali, said the alleged kidnappers were arrested in their different hideouts following a tip-off.
He gave the names of their victims as Madams Afuenya Abaja, Elizabeth Ngeligu, Mrs. Stella Dafinone, Queen Ogboru and Malachi Odozi.
Alkali explained that the gang, which kidnapped Queen and Odozi demanded N400,000 and N30,000 ransoms in that order.
The suspected kidnappers included Fidelis Ojugbale and Chinedu Oruya whose confession led to the arrest of Ediki Ogeraga, Julius Onoameya, Odrehohwo Egieta, Lucky Atunusha, Henry Owokpite, Favour Akpoma and Nicholas Odu.
Others are Fidelis Ochuko, a bus conductor, Kelvin Itejere; a labourer, Kelly Ochuko Jonathan, alias Awoski; Joseph Enakpodia, a commercial motorcyclist; and Daniel Akeghe, a bricklayer.
Alkali disclosed that Abaja and Ngeligu were kidnapped by a12-man gang at Umukwuata in Ukwuani axis of the state while Dafinone was whisked away in her Peugeot 206 car at Okuotolo in Orerokpe, headquarters of Okpe Local Council of the state.
Queen, the police commissioner explained, was abducted while driving into her family compound at Orie Abraka in her light brown Audi 80 car by a six-man armed gang, while Odozi was abducted by motorcycle-riding kidnappers at Idumuje-Unor, Aniocha North Local Council of the state.
Items recovered from the suspected kidnappers included an ash colour Audi 80 car marked BL 748 BDG, a locally made gun, two live cartridges, a battle axe, one locally made single barrel gun, two unregistered Lifan motorcycles and one Motorola handset.
The police chief also disclosed that the suspected cultists were arrested while initiating new members at Aladja, in Udu Local Council.
The alleged cultists are John Udurumerah, Godspower Ijebu, Sylvester Momoh, Otobo Bright, Dumbraye Johnson, Daniel Omokivie, Akpos German, Emmanuel Alamudami, Mr. John Oyibokure, Friday Akpan, Awosika Segun, Austin Ajayi, Nere Blessing, Nyerhovwo Akahome and Brume Voke.
Others are Oyakhilome Akahome, Kelvin Rejom, Odio Ekekedie and Friday Ikehide.
Alkali assured that the suspects would soon be arraigned in court.
HURIWA wrote: "We are worried that the Federal Government has not commenced comprehensive judicial probe into the groundswell of allegations of the involvement of certain top flight security officials in Nigeria in the spate of organised kidnapping, which has become a multi-billion naira crime industry.
"We urge President Goodluck Jonathan to constitute a high-power Judicial Commission of inquiry to be headed by a former Chief Justice of Nigeria with membership drawn from serving Justices of the Court of Appeal, the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and credible civil society groups to unravel and uncover the identity of the security officials actively partnering with organised criminal gangs of kidnappers across the country to perpetrate these dastardly operations.
"These security operatives who are indicted should be prosecuted and punished in a transparent judicial trial to serve as effective deterrent."
Source: The Guardian, 21st July 2010.
Back
Monarch Sacked As Journalists Are Freed
•'How N5,000 recharge cards saved us
•'We thought we were going to die'
By Our Correspondents
Kidnap Saga
Following the ongoing crackdown on those behind kidnappings in Abia, particularly the recent kidnap of four journalists in the area, the state government has come down hard on traditional rulers alleged to be involved in abductions and other criminal activities.
Yesterday, the government arrested the traditional ruler of Amauba-Ime Oboro Autonomous Community in Ikwuano Local Government Area of the state, Eze Vincent Okezie Uche, who is said to have already been charged to court "for sponsoring kidnapping and armed robbery."
A special announcement signed by the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Theodore Orji, Mr. Kingsley Emereuwa, said the royal father was also dethroned.
The government also suspended three traditional rulers namely Eze Okechukwu Atulobi of Osusu Abala Autonomous Community, Eze Nwabiaraije Eneogwe of Abayi Autonomous Community and Eze S. Onwukwe of Abala Ibeme Autonomous Comm-unity, all in Obingwa Local government of the state.
The four journalists and their driver kidnapped by gunmen in the state regained their freedom early yesterday after one week in captivity.
The journalists, abducted on their way from the National Executive Council (INEC) meeting in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, at Obi Ngwa in Abia State, are Chairman of the Lagos State Council of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Wahab Oba, Secretary of Zone G Adolphus Okoronkwo, Acting Secretary of Lagos NUJ Sylva Okereke, Lagos-based journalist Sola Oyeyipo and their driver Azeez Abdulrauf.
Oba relived their experience in the hand of the abductors, saying they saw death coming.
Meanwhile, President Goodluck Jonathan has commended the police on the release of the journalists but called for the arrest of all the kidnappers "by all means possible."
The Abia State government said the decision to suspend the three royal fathers followed security reports of their involvement in sponsoring kidnapping and armed robbery in the state, for which they are currently under investigation.
The government assured the entire citizenry that it "will not stop at anything to eradicate the shameful menace of kidnapping and armed robbery in the state as any person/s suspected to be behind this ugly vocation, no matter how highly placed will be summarily dealt with."
Reliving their experience after they regained freedom, Oba said it was worse than being in hell. Speaking with newsmen shortly after they arrived Government House, Umuahia, in company with armed mobile policemen and officers from Interpol, Oba noted that the period of their captivity exposed them to the other side of life.
He said before releasing them, their captors had threatened to unleash mayhem in the entire five South-eastern states, especially Abia, in the next one month if urgent steps were not taken by the government to pacify them.
Oba also disclosed that the kidnappers threatened to make the entire zone ungovernable, while vowing to scuttle the 2011 general elections in the state.
"They made it clear that they were not going to allow any election to be conducted in the state because the government had failed woefully to make appreciable impact in the living condition of the people.
"They also told us that the Abia State government had collected a whooping sum of money meant to be disbursed to the youths in the spirit of the amnesty programme of the Federal Government but that nothing was given to them.
"The experience we had in that jungle is better imagined. These boys were wielding all manner of sophisticated arms and ammunition which I don't think our police force really possesses. We saw our death steering us in our face but God really saved us from their hands.
"At a point, I even had to write my will albeit verbally because we thought we were not going to see the light of the day. I can't wish even my worst enemy to pass through such a horrendous experience," Oba said.
The full story of how the journalists were released has, however, emerged.
"Inspector-General of Police Sir, this is breaking news for you. I have with me the four kidnapped journalists and their driver who were handed over to us this morning."With these words the Abia State Commissioner of Police Jonathan Johnson officially announced the release of the four journalists and their driver
The kidnapped men breathed their air of freedom at about 1.30 am when their abductors released them at a market place at Ukpakiri in Obingwa Local Government the same area where they were taken hostage on Sunday July 11, 2010.
By 8.45am when the released journalists were brought to the state command headquarters in Umuahia by a team of policemen, they looked unkempt and were barefooted, a sign of the ordeal they had passed through in the last seven days.
But they were full of joy and happiness for coming out of the bush alive.Oba said they were dropped at a bush in the area (Ukpakiri) but they waited till daybreak before they crawled out around 6.00am and a community leader took them to the police.
He said that all through the period they waited for daybreak, they laid still before they attracted some people around the area.Though the Lagos NUJ chairman said that they were not maltreated by their abductors, they were completely blindfolded and kept under trees and left at the mercy of the elements, with their abductors who were also drenched by rain or scorched by sun, as the case may be.
He said the kidnappers never allowed them stay at a particular place for long as they kept moving them every two hours due to the pressure from police.
The kidnappers had robbed them of their possessions and shared the booty among themselves
"They (kidnappers) collected everything we had, both wrist watches, money and shared everything. I saw my shoes; I saw my laptop computer being shared. Somebody even put on my wrist watch there in the bush," Oba said.
The kidnappers had initially demanded N250 million ransom but Oba said the kidnappers later claimed they were not really interested in the ransom money because they were driven into criminality to protest government neglect.
Oba insisted that no ransom was paid to the hoodlums, adding that their only financial reward was N3 million they collected from them
The journalists therefore called on the federal government to adequately equip the police, to make them ready to face such people considering the kind of sophisticated weapons the hoodlums carried.
In his remarks the Abia State chairman of NUJ, Hyacinth Okoli, commended the police and the state government for their effort in ensuring the release of the journalists.
But he disagreed that the kidnappers were in the crime because they were angry with the government, saying that the kidnappers were evil in nature and had refused to key into the amnesty programme announced by government.
According to a statement by Presidential Spokesman Ima Niboro, President Jonathan said the release had brought to a close a sordid criminal incident, which he insisted must be completely stamped out of the polity.
Jonathan specifically praised the police and Nigerians for turning "sufficient heat" on the kidnappers, which made them to abandon their victims.
He directed the Inspector-General of Police Ogbonna Onovo to ensure the arrest by all means possible of the kidnappers.
The President felicitated with the four journalists, their families and NUJ.
According to him, "Even as we celebrate freedom today, let us insist that this spate of criminality must stop. In every way possible, we must say no to these vices and assist the authorities to expose perpetrators and bring an end to these vices as quickly as possible."
Onovo has also declared war on kidnappers in the South-east, vowing to make the zone difficult for any manner of criminality.
Speaking shortly after receiving the rescued journalists from the Abia State Police Command, Onovo said the police would engage the men of the underworld in a serious battle with the aim of riding the zone of kidnappers and armed banditry.
"The operation has just started with the rescue of these innocent journalists. We can no longer tolerate this in the South-east. Indeed the people are going to be denied their comfort in the process of embarking on this operation. But I want to plead with them to bear with us," he stated.
The journalists left for Lagos yesterday through Port Harcourt Airport in Omagwa few hours after they were freed.
They left on a chartered flight marked ZS-SME from Top Brass Aviation provided by the Rivers State government, which said it was their own contribution to making the journalists return to their families safely.
Speaking on behalf of the governor, the Acting Chief Press Secretary Blessing Wikina said the kidnap was a cowardly act, which should not deter the journalists from their work.
He further asked security agencies to try and debrief those who have been kidnapped and freed so that a psychological profile of the kidnappers could be ascertained.
Oba who spoke on behalf of the journalists expressed gratitude to President Jonathan, the police, Abia State government, journalists and all the people that made it possible for them to regain their freedom and assured them that they would continue to ensure that they serve the people well.
Some Abia State officials who spoke on condition of anonymity said that no ransom was paid aside from some "small, small money they extorted from people promising to release them".
A source said N5,000 recharge cards, which the kidnappers sought for and got also helped to facilitate their release.
At the airport were police top shots including Onovo and Abia State governor who left on an Arik flight to Abuja.
Source: This Day, 20th July 2010.
Back
Mass police deployment in S'East underway
• Jonathan meets govs, others over security
FROM MADU ONUORAH (ABUJA) AND ALEX OLISE (LAGOS)
SPURRED by a fresh resolve to stem the tide of kidnapping in the South Eastern part of the country, the
Police are set to strengthen security in the region.
The development is coming on the heels of the release of four journalists and their driver who were held hostage by kidnappers for a week.
The Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Lagos State Chapter, Wahab Oba, the Secretary, Sylva Emeka Okereke, Zonal Secretary, NUJ, Lagos, Adolphus Okoronkwo, Shola Oyeyipo of the Voice of Nigeria (VON) and their driver, Azeez Abdulrauf, were abducted penultimate Sunday in the South-East. They were released last Sunday.
The Guardian learnt that the police high command had begun the collation of names of officers that will be deployed in the South East.
The All Nigeria People's Party (ANPP) in Abia State had on Sunday urged the Inspector-General of Police to quickly deploy all policemen in one of the affected states within the South Eastern region.
The decision by the top hierarchy of the force to embark on mass deployment has started generating tension in the affected police command as most officers have resorted to lobbying to avoid being posted to where they do not want to go.
At the yesterday's security meeting, top officers across the 36 state police commands commended the detectives and other top officers who participated in the one-week operation that eventually led to the release of the kidnapped journalists.
A top police source told The Guardian on phone that "there is the urgent need to visit the current security arrangement, especially now that the 2011 elections draw closer. We are not ready to trail any kidnappers gang, we are set to nip the crime in the bud. We will reposition the affected command to actualise the three-point agenda of the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Ogbonna Onovo."
The spate of kidnappings and other crimes has gone up within the past one year in all the South Eastern states thereby forcing the Federal Government to advise the Inspector-General of Police to review the security arrangement in most of the states within the zone.
Meanwhile, sympathisers and well-wishers yesterday continued to visit the journalists.
The journalists boarded a chartered Z5-SME flight to the local wing of the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos, where they were welcomed by scores of journalists and other government officials.
It was learnt that the police high command will soon procure more patrol vehicles and other communication gadgets to aid policemen that will work in the South Eastern Zone and other commands.
Meanwhile, President Jonathan, responding to concerns of leaders from the South-East geo-political zone, who paid a solidarity visit to him at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, said yesterday that "we are very concerned about the issue of security, and with the various options available to us, we are gradually getting on top of the situation."
Members of the delegation included Governors of the five South East States, Mr. Sullivan Chime of Enugu, Mr. Theodore Orji of Abia, Chief Ikedi Ohakim of Imo, Chief Martin Elechi of Ebonyi and Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, former Vice President, Dr. Alex Ekwueme, former Senate Presidents Anyim Pius Anyim and Ken Nnamani, former governors, traditional rulers and religious leaders.
The President also told the South-East leaders that he had directed the Ministry of Environment to provide funds in the next Federal Government budget for the fight against erosion in the country, because the Ecological Funds were inadequate.
He added that Vice President Namadi Sambo would take a critical look at the various Ecological Fund projects to ensure proper execution and timely completion.
The President said the second Niger Bridge would be funded like any other federal project, because of its critical role as a link between the South-East and other parts of country, and that efforts at the rehabilitation of various road projects would continue.
He assured the delegation that all their concerns would receive due attention from the appropriate ministries and departments of Government, stressing that he did not believe in reserving specific positions in government for particular areas, but preferred to ensure constitutional balance.
Earlier, Mr. Peter Obi, Governor of Anambra State and Chairman of the South East Governors' Forum, had listed the zone's requests to include security concerns, massive erosion, the second Niger Bridge, the need for a truly international status for the Enugu airport, federal appointments, reactivation of the Enugu coal mines and the state of federal roads.
Source: The Guardian, 20th July 2010.
Back
Kidnapping Police redeploy 3,500 officers in
Anambra, Abia
By Olusola Fabiyi and Mudiaga Affe with agency
The Nigeria Police Force has commenced the mass transfer of some of its officers in the South-East over the spate of kidnapping and other forms of violent crimes in the zone.
The first phase of the exercise, according to the News Agency of Nigeria, affected about 3,500 officers in Anambra and Abia states.
The two states are believed to have the highest cases of kidnapping in the five South-East states.
A police source in Awka, Anambra State, made this known shortly before the Force Public Relations Officer, Mr. Emmanuel Ojukwu, disclosed that four persons suspected to have kidnapped four journalists and their driver had been arrested.
The journalists are the Lagos State council Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Mr. Wahab Oba; the Secretary , Mr. Sylva Okereke; a member, Mr. Sola Oyeyipo; the Zonal Secretary, Zone G, Mr. Adolphus Okonkwo; and the driver, Mr. Azzez Yekini.
They were kidnapped by the gunmen on July 11 in Abia State but were freed on Sunday morning.
The police source, who asked not to be named, claimed that the police authorities believed that policemen who had stayed long in the two states were either abetting crime or sabotaging the efforts of their commands.
He said that in Anambra alone, more than 500 senior police officers were affected by the transfer to other states, including Sokoto and Borno.
"More than 500 of those transferred are senior police officers. The transfer came after the recent visit of the Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Ogbonna Onovo, to the zone where he directed that all those transferred be given seven days to report at their new commands," he said.
The source added that Onovo further charged police officers to rededicate themselves to their duties and to develop new initiatives geared toward combating kidnapping, armed robbery and other violent crimes.
"He ( IG) particularly called for new approaches towards intelligence gathering," he said.
The Police Public Relations Officer in Anambra, Mr. Emeka Chukwuemeka, confirmed that the transfers had started, but said he could not ascertain the number of officers affected in the state.
"The exercise is ongoing and it involves officers who have spent five years and above in one location," Chukwuemeka said.
In Port Harcourt, Rivers State, the FPRO said that more than 600 suspected kidnappers, including four that seized the journalists and their driver had been arrested in different parts of the country.
Ojukwu said, "We have four persons in custody in respect of the July 11 offence.
"We have made four arrests but we are also in hot pursuit of other fleeing members of the gang and we shall catch up with them and bring them to justice.
"Fighting kidnapping is not solely the responsibility of the Nigerian police. It is our common problem and all of us will have to join hands to fight the menace.
"Kidnappers do not live in police barracks; they are not policemen. They live with the people and people should be able to fish them out and inform the police to arrest them.
"We are doing all we can to make sure that we have the wherewithal to pursue the crime of kidnapping and other violent crimes.''
But while Ojukwu spoke in the Rivers State capital, the State Security Service in Lagos questioned Oba on the kidnap saga.
Oba, according to security sources, was taken away in an unmarked van from his residence at the Journalists Estate, Arepo, Ogun State, to the Shangisha office of the SSS at about 4pm.
The source, however, did not say if the questions asked him were mainly on the kidnap saga or the media reports that N3m was seized from him and his colleagues by the kidnappers.
He, however, said the NUJ chief was allowed to go home at about 7pm.
"I can confirm to you that he was whisked away by an SSS operative for questioning. But he was allowed to go around 7pm ," he added.
When contacted, Oba said he had only an "interaction" with the SSS director in Lagos who sympathised with him and his colleagues over their ordeal in the hands of their kidnappers.
He said, "There was nothing like quizzing me.It was just an interaction. What happened was that an officer of the SSS came and said that his director sent him to greet and sympathise with me on my experience and that he (director) would like to see me at a convenient time.
"I told the officer that I was busy attending to visitors and that I would see them tomorrow (today). He left but came back to say that his director would appreciate my seeing him today (Monday). I followed him to their office where I met their director who again sympathised with me on our experience. He said he would like to listen to my experience and I narrated our ordeal to him.
"It was a routine security work in cases like our experience. They want information to help them in their own work."
Oba had early on Monday refuted reports that he told journalists in Umuahia, Abia State, on Sunday, that N3m was seized from him and his colleagues by the kidnappers.
He said, "I was surprised when I saw the report today (Monday) that a sum of N3m was seized from us by the kidnappers. I must have been misunderstood. What I meant was that the total value of what the kidnappers seized from us would amount to about N2.5m or N3m in total value.
"At least about N1.6m in cash was seized from us instantly, while other properties such as a vehicle, a Toyota Sienna; a laptop, a camera, a recorder, personal effects, wristwatches and other valuables, should be about N2m.
"We got N1m fromthe Governor of Akwa Ibom, Mr. Godswill Akpabio, in fulfillment of his promise to assist us in a project we are embarking on in Lagos. Other money collected from all of us should be about N600,000.
"It is most likely the kidnappers acted based on information because they were getting information on us minute- by-minute with a threat to kill us anytime."
Meanwhile, Governor Peter Obi of Anambra State on Monday welcomed the release of the journalists and their driver.
Speaking through his Chief Press Secretary, Mike Udah, in Awka , Obi expressed the hope that the journalists' traumatic experience would not recur in the South-East or any part of the country.
The governor urged Nigerians, especially youths, to work towards the overall development of the country.
He gave the assurance that security would be stepped up to stem kidnapping, armed robbery and other violent crimes in the South-East.
Obi said his government would create more jobs for youths to steer their minds away from crimes.
Source: Punch, 20th July 2010.
Back
The menace of kidnapping?
EDITOR
THE kidnapping of all manner of persons has gained ascendancy in Nigeria. A malady previously unknown to our people has rapidly become domesticated. In the last ten years, the volatile oil rich regions of the Niger Delta witnessed this phenomenon on a large scale with the target being mostly expatriates and
|
|
Nigerians in the oil business. The criminal enterprise has since grown by leaps and bounds. It has spread throughout the country extending to places as far afield as Kano and Kaduna in addition to intensifying in the known kidnapper playgrounds of the South-East and South-South.
Compared to other forms of serious crimes, kidnapping is easy. The method is always the same. A group of criminals armed with guns and cell phones apprehend unsuspecting victims. They drag their quarry into a secluded spot and begin making phone calls to whoever they think is capable of paying a ransom. The police with a mandate to provide security for the people are often unprepared for the task at hand. They think their job is done if they manage to rescue the kidnapped, but of the kidnappers nothing much is ever heard. As we all know, the police are poorly trained and poorly equipped, but beyond these inadequacies there are worrying signs that their loyalty is suspect. Some whistleblowers have come to grief for confiding in them.? The primary role of government is the provision of security for its own people. In Nigeria this role has been largely ignored. The Nigerian state no longer provides security for the Nigerian people. Today, anything can happen to anyone and no one cares. Nigerians have compulsorily become religious as whole families barricade themselves at night in prison-high walls and pray that God protects them till morning. But kidnapping as a variant of armed robbery is infinitely more disturbing as it often occurs in the open among persons going about their normal business.?
In the past week four major kidnappings have taken place. On Sunday, July 11, four journalists and a driver travelling in a convoy of buses from a conference in Uyo, Akwa Ibom state, were intercepted in Abia state. The affected journalists were the Lagos State Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) council's chairman Wahab Oba, his secretary Sylva Okereke, zonal secretary Adolphus Okoronkwo and a reporter with the Abuja-based Fresh Fact newspaper Shola Oyeyipo. Their driver, Azeez Abdulrauf, was also held. From their hideout, the abductors demanded a ransom of N250 million, since reduced to N30 million. A torrent of protests, condemnations and threats, greeted the action of the kidnappers.
From President Goodluck Jonathan to his ministers, former heads of state, governors, journalists, students, market women, lawyers and even school children, all condemned the action of the abductors. The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Ogbonna Onovo even had to relocate to Abia state, in addition to enlisting the support of Mossad, the dreaded Israeli secret service. Nigerians are outraged that journalists, traditional friends of the poor and the downtrodden, are undeservedly being treated in this manner. Yesterday, the four journalists and their driver however regained their freedom , bringing to a happy end a week-long period of anxiety and national embarrassment. Many other victims of kidnapping are unlucky.
In Idah, Kogi State, the mother of the former president of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Mr Sani Lulu, Alhaja Laruba Abdullahi, was also abducted by unknown persons who are demanding a ransom of N200m. For Lulu, it does not rain, it pours. At the same time as he is facing a serious charge of graft for his stewardship in NFF, his mother's whereabouts has been thrown into the equation to compound his problems. In Kano, a businessman, Alhaji Salisu Mataba, was forcibly abducted in the presence of his family. The criminals were apparently looking for dollars; not finding it, they shot and injured his three children and still made off with him. In Akwa Ibom State where as many as ten medical doctors have been kidnapped already, staff at the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital have gone on an indefinite strike following the failure of kidnappers to release their latest victim Mr. Usen Uwah, a consultant paediatric surgeon. As a consequence, medical services at the specialist hospital have been paralysed and patients stranded.
The widening scale of insecurity in Nigeria is a cause for concern as all are affected by it. Nobody and nowhere is safe. Churches, mosques, markets, schools, homes and the highway, all are susceptible to this menace. The abductees and their families are traumatised by the ordeal of kidnappings. Foreign investors are scared away from Nigeria. The tenuous peace in the Niger Delta soon to be followed by a challenging general election early next year creates fresh uncertainties. There can be no free and fair elections if kidnappers are not stopped now. Nigerians are paying the price of poor governance and a failure of leadership. Living in today's Nigeria is stressful. The hardship is just too much for the ordinary Nigerian with no water, no light, no railway, no infrastructure, no jobs and now no security. Nigeria is gradually sliding into a failed state.
President Jonathan should summon his security team to develop a measurable strategy for a way out of this kidnapping problem. An itinerant inspector general far from reassuring the public actually frightens them into believing that fighting crime has become a whole lot like fire-fighting. Police tactics need not be advertised on the pages of newspapers. Perhaps a specially trained and dedicated task force with full powers, a hot line and equipment should be established to combat this evil.
Source: The Guardian, 20th July 2010.
Back
Kidnapping: Enugu to Demolish Suspected Hideouts
TONY ITA ETIM, Enugu
HOUSES used to harbour kidnapped persons or found to be hideouts for suspected kidnappers in rural communities of Enugu State are to be demolished by the government.
Similarly, the certificates of occupancy of such property will be revoked and buildings seized by the state government.
Governor Sullivan Chime announced the measures during a Town Hall meeting he held with presidents and secretaries of all the 467 autonomous communities in the State at the Governor's Lodge, Enugu .
The Governor, who described the effects of kidnapping in the society as embarrassing and unacceptable, also warned that government would deal decisively with any town union executives in whose community such crimes are committed while the kidnappers arrested would be made to face the law.
Chime said government would not accept any excuse from anybody or town union, adding that no matter where one resides either within or outside the country, one has to take full responsibility of what happens in his house or houses.
"No one is above the law. We will tackle the problem of kidnappers and violent crime in the state 100 per cent, not with kid gloves. We outnumber the violent groups in the society and we must succeed," he said.
Chime appealed to the town union executives to devise means of monitoring the movement of people both visitors and residents of their communities and to report any unusual movement and suspects to either the police, men of the State Security Services (SSS) or his office.
He asked for the assistance and cooperation of the town unions in the state in the fight against kidnappers and violent crimes and recalled that the South-East Governors Forum had earlier taken a decision to work together in the fight to check the crime in the interest of the states and their economy.
Chime directed the town union executives of all the 467 autonomous communities in the state to ensure effective monitoring and supervision of all development projects being executed by government in their areas.
According to Chime, this is the only way to ensure that such projects were not abandoned or executed below standard and the expectations of the benefiting community.
He told the gathering that as a matter of policy, government has decided that documents for contract awarded in the state containing the name of the contractor, terms of the contract, amount involved, the scope and time of completion of such job would be made available to the town unions of the benefiting communities for easy and effective monitoring.
Government, he said had completed arrangements to establish an office of a Special Adviser under his office where they could obtain the contract documents and also channel their complaints, observations and other relevant information for necessary action.
He advised them to feel free to lodge their complaints and situation reports on such projects, adding that any town union executive that connives with the contractor to dupe their community or do a shoddy job will be penalised.
Source: Daily Champion, 9th July 2010.
Back
Kidnappers Still On Rampage, Abduct Priest,
Medical Doctor
ROM CHARLES OGUGBUAJA (OWERRI)
PAYING deaf ears to official warnings and forceful
action of both the Police and the Military against he gale of kidnappings in the South East, gunmen at the weekend held sway taking two victims — Vice Chancellor of Veritas Catholic University in Abia State, Reverend Father Justin Ukpong and Dr. Sha Azu-Okorie, a medical doctor and former chairman of Ahiazu Mbaise Local Council in Imo State — in their dangerous strides.
A statement from the Catholic Archbishop of Abuja, John Onaiyekan, in a statement said the kidnappers had been threatening the associates of the catholic priest using his (the priest's) mobile telephone, which they confiscated from him.
As at the time of going to press, it was still not clear whether, or not, the Reverend Father had been released.
When The Guardian called the victims mobile telephone number, the kidnappers said the priest was too weak to comment and had been asking for his drugs. They accused those calling the line without releasing the ransom of being responsible for his ordeal.
Source: The Guardian, 27th June 2010.
Kidnapping As Big Business In South-east
Written by Iyobosa Uwugiaren, Abuja
Historians and archaeologists have it that the Igbo culture - their way of life was in the beginning a culture of life (ndu bu isi) instead of death. According to them, "Life was celebrated while death was despised and feared. The only death celebrated was someone who lived long (usually above 60 years) and had grown up children."
Today, they say the opposite is the case: "Igbo efulefu"-useless, fools, political/economic criminals, are now making Igbo culture a culture of death, killing and kidnapping. True, in the last few months, kidnapping has become a big business in the region that has produced great people - living and the dead. Our Assistant Managing Editor/Chief-of-Reporters, IYOBOSA UWUGIAREN examines the strange phenomenon.
P resident Goodluck Azikiwe Ebele Jonathan is not a poignant person prone to emotion-laden speeches. The few public speeches he has made since he became president can testify to that. But when asked to comment on the state of security situation in the country -especially the increasing rate of kidnapping in the South-east part of the country recently - he was strangely emotional.
"Any responsible leader should be worried about the state of security in the country, especially in the South-east; it is very embarrassing; it is unacceptable to us and we shall do everything within our means to confront the problems", the president stated emotionally while chatting with some media executives on national television.
The President talked about the socio-economic and political implications of the crime situation saying, it was the only reason the nation lost the hosting right of the ongoing soccer World Cup to South Africa. He said from the security report at his disposal, it was obvious that the crime of kidnapping is an organised one involving many persons or groups - the security agents, the judiciary, the banking sector and some lawyers. He asked: "I hope when we start arresting them, some professional bodies will not complain?"
True, like the information available to Jonathan, kidnapping has become a big business in the South-east. The dreadful hallucination-kidnapping which was first carried out in Port-Harcourt on February 18, 2006 by a group of heavily armed militants to draw the government's attention to their demands has now graduated to a frightening fraction in different parts of the nation. Even the peacefulness, serenity and safety of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja is not out of danger. Kidnapping has now become a veritable, real tool in the hands of intelligent but criminally minded persons for making "cool money."
"It is distressing that kidnapping for ransom has become a burgeoning business in many parts of Igboland. Of recent, Anambra, Enugu, Abia and Imo States have been hotbeds of commercially-motivated kidnapping. In a bid to increase the ransom payable after the kidnap, the kidnappers now specialize in kidnapping monarchs, home video actors and actresses, traditional rulers of big towns, high profile business tycoons, politicians, children and relatives of wealthy politicians", an analyst said.
To be sure, a couple was recently kidnapped immediately after their wedding in Anambra State . His Royal Highness, Igwe Mbamalu Okeke of Abagana, Igwe J.C Nkwocha of Alor, Dr. Anayo Edemobi and sibling of Minister of Information and Communications Dora Akunyili, have all been victims of these dreadful criminals in the state.
From the capital of old Eastern Region-Enugu State , Igwe Uche Nwachime in Nkanu, was abducted and later slaughtered because his relations had refused to pay ransom on time as requested by the kidnappers. Report also had it that the proprietor of Gold Riveri Hotel Enugu was kidnapped and later released upon the payment of a N5 million ransom. In Abia State , which is fast becoming the most notorious state where kidnapping business booms, the chairman of Enyimba Football was kidnapped. Justice Awa U. Kalu was shot in a failed kidnapping bid. Some Imo State indigenes had also been kidnapped recently; they include Mr. Celestine Ngaobiwu, a member of the Imo State House of Assembly and two sons of the Speaker of the Imo House of Assembly.
Three persons were killed earlier in the year when unknown gunmen kidnapped a movie star Peter Edochie in Onitsha, the commercial nerve centre of Anambra State . According to reports, the victims were killed to facilitate Edochie's kidnappings. The actor hit the limelight as Okonkwo in the television adaptation of Chinua Achebe's book, "Things fall Apart." He was kidnapped after his bodyguards were overpowered. Few days after the Edochie incident, about six people were killed in Imo State when kidnappers reportedly invaded Orlu and Ikeduru areas of the state. Two kidnapped Indians were reportedly rescued with some of the gang members seriously injured when a team of policemen confronted the gang at Ama Nwozuzu in Ikeduru. The cases are endless.
The wide-ranging state of insecurity in the South east, security experts say, had reached a stage where practically everybody is now worried about the frightening dimension the region is headed. Presently, hardly can people sleep with both eyes closed for fear of being kidnapped. Businessmen, politicians and other wealthy persons have taken voyage as well as with their businesses for fear of being kidnapped. In the last few years, kidnapping and hostage taking have moved from the Niger Delta creeks to Ndi-igboland. The ogre has broadened and taken unfathomable derivation in the land where many able-bodied but unemployed youths proliferate. Within the South-east, Abia State is the epicentre followed by others in the region. Everybody is now concern. It is expected against obtainable verification that the rich government officials, traditional rulers, elected politicians and their immediate families are now the target of the men of evil.
There appears not to be hiding place for the rich, even though some of them have relocated their families outside the South-east geo-political zone or outside the country. Even Lagos that was once regarded as insecure state is now a heaven of choice for many.
Recently, the profit-making activities in Aba, the commercial nerve centre of Abia State, were crippled as banks were forced to close their doors against demanding customers after frequent violent attacks on banks. At a point, the evil men outsmarted all procedures adopted by the banks to avoid them.
"While insecurity disrupts socio-economic and political activities in the country, it also slows down the pace of economic growth and development. Many investors continue to flee the country", an Aba based bank manager who does not want his name mentioned, told LEADERSHIP SUNDAY.
Sadly, the news the international community has about the South east is that it is most unsafe to live and do business. To be sure, the World Bank recently rated Imo State as one of the worst states in the country to do business. "Before any foreigner contemplates of coming to Nigeria, he or she would not only be calculating the high cost of investing in the country, but also the safety of his or her life", the bank manger said.
The National Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA) recently expressed regret over the serious security problems in the South east region. It said that "the security challenges had worsened the already bad and unfriendly business environment that is negatively affecting the growth of businesses and socio-economic activities in the area."
"If industries are closing shops and investors are not forthcoming because of insecurity and other attendant problems faced by businesses, then the future, particularly that of the children should agitate the minds of everybody."
Apart from NACCIMA, the police, states in the south east and other segments of the society are worried. Recently peeved by the state of insecurity- kidnapping in Anambra, the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Ogbonna Onovo, announced the deployment of 16 units of anti-riot policemen to the area to complement the efforts of policemen attached to the state commands. But in spite of this, security experts and monitors say the level of insecurity in the region had heightened.
The chief police officer had partly blamed the high wave of crime in the country, especially in the South-east on materialism and loss of societal values. He noted that people were ready to do anything to get rich and be celebrated in the society. While also blaming the high rate of kidnapping and armed robbery in these areas on unemployment, he however said that most of the graduates of Nigerian universities are half-baked, but carry about certificates they could not even defend.
Perceptibly troubled by the disturbing state of insecurity in the South east in recent times, President Jonathan recently invited governors in the region to Aso Rock for a meeting. Addressing journalists after the meeting, Governor Peter Obi of Anambra State lamented that they were spending huge funds to support the police and other security agencies "but we found out that the hoodlums' firepower is more than the police. The security agencies are trying but they need more support from the Federal Government."
Obi requested for the purchase of two or more helicopters with modern communication equipment and detectors, placed in strategic locations in the south east where it could be called up in a matter of minutes to intervene in any security situation.
According to Obi, "I do not play politics with security. The security situation in the Southeast is pathetic. The militants who were displaced from the core Niger Delta regions have left their creeks, came upland to terrorise us. We must rise to the occasion. And since no state can do it alone, resources must be pooled together to confront this ugly development."
Those who should know said the fear of kidnapping is real in the South east because of lack of effective and reliable security machinery to confront the kidnappers. "Many people in the South east now live in perpetual fear of kidnappers. It has curtailed the freedom of movement of the people. For example, some prominent citizens from the South east now travel to their respective villages with full mobile police escorts. What a miserable life! If living in one's own village can now be classified as dangerous living, then life in itself is not worth living", an Abuja based lawyer, Mr. John kalu said.
The Minister of State for Information and Communication, Mr. Labaran Maku recently said that the Federal Government had taken steps to confront the situation calling on the affected communities to cooperate with security operatives to tackle the problems.
"The Federal Government through Federal Executive Council (FEC) called on all communities in the south-east and in other parts of the country where security has become an issue to cooperate with security agencies that are already undertaking the operation to fish out the criminals wherever they may be hiding and deal with the situation decisively", the minister said
He said kidnapping was disrupting normal life and commercial activities in some states and government could not stay back and watch criminals take over the entire situation.
He added, "So government is undertaking joint security operations to fish out the camps, know where those people are staying and this cannot be done by security agencies alone. The entire communities, especially state government, local government, traditional rulers and community organisations should cooperate."
"The criminals are not ghosts, they come from amongst our communities, they don't come from outside, so if the public can give cooperation and give sensitive information to security agencies, it will help security agencies."
Governor Theodore Orji of Abia State was so overwhelmed with the security situation in his state that he recently granted amnesty to kidnappers and armed robbers who made life in the state terrifying and dreadful. He made the announcement when a delegation of the various groups of kidnappers visited him at the Government House, Umuahia. They were led by the Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps in the state, Nathaniel Ubong. Mr. Orji told his guests that his government was committed to the success of the programme. The governor said he was surprised that Abia State was not one of the states covered by the presidential amnesty for Niger Delta militants and that he had protested the exclusion to the Minister in charge of the amnesty programme of the Federal Government, who assured him that the programme would be repeated to accommodate Abia State. The governor, who said the Minister's assurance encouraged him to make the offer so that Abia will also benefit, said kidnapping had made Abia State more notorious than the states where it first started. "The disadvantages of kidnapping are massive, because it has driven away contractors and investors from the state and Aba in particular, making development difficult," Mr Orji said. He urged the repentant kidnappers to go and inform others to lay down their arms as the amnesty programme is real.
The governor added, "All the arms you have packed somewhere bring them out for the world to see so that the Federal Government will accept you into the amnesty programme."
"You cannot harbour grievance against your fatherland, it is only in the atmosphere of peace that development can take place."
Mr Ubong, the NSCDC Commandant, was quoted as telling Orji that the kidnappers approached him three times for the peace meeting but he did not think they were serious. "They finally came with a lawyer, who convinced me that they were ready to leave the bush and embrace the offer," he was reported as saying.
Spokesperson of the kidnappers, Stephen John, a native of Ukwa West LGA, said his gang resorted to kidnapping to protest their being excluded from the Federal Government's amnesty offer saying, "As oil producing communities, Owazza and Obokwe in Ukwa West LGA were neglected without hospitals, schools, good roads and other infrastructure."
Chimete Kingsley Onwudara, the groups' lawyer said the delegations were made up of representatives of the kidnappers and the communities who had come to ensure that government was serious with the offer. "In the next week, all the kidnappers will be out with their weapons, making Abia peaceful once again," he said.
Before then, in huge efforts to tackle the situation frontally, some states in the South east have enacted laws with a capital offence punishable by death while two other states: Rivers and Edo imposed life imprisonment on persons convicted for the offence of kidnapping. Other states, apart from Imo that passed into law "Prohibition of Hostage Taking and Related Offences Law" with death penalty as punishment for offenders are Abia, Akwa Ibom, Anambra and Enugu . More states are warming up to join the list.
But can the death penalty stop people from being kidnapped? And how will Nigeria look in the eye of the world legalising what others the world over are proscribing?
Mr. Aster Van Kregfen, Amnesty International's Representative Researcher in Nigeria, said that retention of capital punishment had failed to reduce armed robbery or murder in Nigeria despite the execution of more than 2,600 prisoners since 1970. "Experience has shown that the threat of death penalty is not an effective answer to violent crime. It can actually exacerbate violence in a society", he said.
He said that killing every kidnapper not only flies in the face of global and national trends, but also a violation of Article 5 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, a United Nations treaty.
Kregfen viewed kidnapping, as "a terrible crime that causes anguish to both the victims and their families".
His solution: "The way to be though on violent crime like kidnapping is to strengthen the police's ability to detect potential crimes before they occur and prevent them. The Federal Government needs to strengthen police training and resources to increase police investigation capacity and effectiveness."
UN views right to life as an inalienable right. This position as adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in1948 sees death penalty as a violation of this essential right. Besides, the world body has always argued that not only did death penalty dehumanise society; it has never been known as an efficient way to stop crime. The worldwide trend is to abolish death penalty for all categories of crime or at least retain it for exceptional crimes committed in exceptional circumstances. African countries such as Algeria , Mozambique , South Africa , Namibia , Tunisia , Angola and Senegal are among over 90 countries in the world that have abolished death penalty for any crime.
Kidnapping is not new in the world. In fact, security experts say Phoenix, Arizona has become the kidnapping capital of America, with more incidents than any other city in the world outside of Mexico City with over 370 cases last year alone.
In fact, kidnappings and other crimes connected to the Mexican drug cartels are quickly spreading across the border, from Texas to California. The majority of the victims are either illegal aliens or connected to the drug trade. Recently, an ABC News' investigation uncovered horrific cases of chopped-off hands, legs and heads when a victim's family doesn't pay up fast enough. But can President Jonathan fix the problems in the South-east as he promised. Ndi-Igbo, the peace-loving people of the south east, are eagerly and earnestly waiting for Jonathan.
Source: Leadership, 27th June 2010.
Pay N6m or VC dies–Abia kidnappers
By SUNDAY ANI
Kidnappers of the Vice Chancellor of Veritas Catholic University in Abia State, Rev Fr Justin Ukpong,
have insisted on a ransom of six million naira or they will kill the ailing cleric.
The abductors of the VC, who exhibited a devil-may-care attitude when they spoke on the telephone with Sunday Sun, maintained that the Catholic priest would not be released except the ransom was paid.
The daredevil kidnappers in Abia State had on Thursday evening sent shockwaves across the South East and the Catholic community in the country when they seized the vice chancellor in Aba.
Apparently, the incident caught soldiers just deployed in the South East napping as his abduction came a few days after the Federal Government deployed soldiers in the region to stem the rising trend of kidnapping.
Speaking with our correspondent on the telephone on Friday evening after a call was put through to Rev Fr Ukpong's mobile line, the kidnappers warned that the man of God was seriously ill and that it would be in his own interest if the ransom was paid as soon as possible.
When the kidnappers handed the phone over to the VC's driver, who was kidnapped alongside him, he corroborated the kidnappers' warning, saying that Fr Ukpong's health condition was very critical.
"My oga is seriously ill. He is on drugs and he needs to take his drugs every 30 minutes. Please, who am I speaking with?"
Also speaking to our correspondent, the cleric, who also wanted to know who he was speaking with, faintly said: "Please, you should go to the university and meet Kalu, who is coordinating…"
He did not finish the statement before the line went off. In a text message sent to one of our correspondents, the Bishop of the Abuja Catholic Diocese, Archbishop John Onaiyekan, alerted that Ukpong's abductors had issued several threats using the VC's phone.
He urged Nigerians and the Catholic community to pray for his release.
"Kidnappers have abducted Rev Fr Justin Ukpong, the Vice Chancellor of our Veritas Catholic University in Abia State. Please pray for his quick release. They are threatening us on (Fr Justin's) phone no. 08029303064.
"The police at the highest level have been informed. You might bombard them with calls to let Fr. Ukpong go for God's sake," the text message by Onaiyekan read.
Speaking to Sunday Sun on the telephone, the Public Relations Officer of the university, Mr Onuoha Emeaba, said the VC was abducted on Thursday about 6.45pm. Emeaba added that they had contacted the kidnappers and pleaded with them to release Ukpong because "he is a man of God."
Reacting to the development, Army spokesperson, Brig-Gen. Chris Olukolade, said the incident was pathetic but added that the responsibility to forestall such a development rested with the police. "It is an unfortunate and pathetic incident. But the presence of soldiers in the area does not remove responsibility from the police. We have not seized the initiative from the police as we are only collaborating and assisting the police.
"However, the army will do its best as we have done in the last few days to free some kidnapped victims. The information has been passed to the formation in the area and we will do our best," Olukolade said.
The Abia State Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Ali Okechukwu, however, said they were already on the trail of the kidnappers.
"I think we will stumble into something very soon. If you can call me back in an hour's time, I can be more specific because we have been busy with recruitment exercise," he said in a telephone interview.
Source: Sun, 27th June 2010.
South East - Jonathan Pledges to Tackle
Corruption, Insecurity
Alphonsus Nweze
Onitsha — President Goodluck Jonathan has been challenged to tackle rising wave of corruption, unemployment. insecurity especially armed banditry and kidnapping, which have continued unabated in the
South East and South South.
Rising from the Third Session of its Fifth synod, held at the Cathedral church of St. Mary Uruagu-Nnewi, the diocese of Nnewi, Anglican Communion in a 23-point communiqué urged both President Jonathan and Gov. Peter Obi of Anambra State to see their positions as divine assignments to, "reduce the suffering of Nigerians, improve their quality of lives and restore faith in governance."
The Synod urged Jonathan to decisively clamp down on corruption and prosecute looters of public treasury, provide regular quality power supply to revitalize numerous large/small scale industries nationwide to create job opportunities which would reduce or eliminate anti-social activities by youths.
The Synod also want a clamp down on kidnapping and armed robbery, with immediate legal steps towards registration of all GSM mobile phone numbers as part of efforts in tackling the monster.
The Diocese also endorsed the call for the Federal Government to kick-start work on the second Niger Bridge, which has remained on the drawing board for some years now, commending the Federal Executive Council for canceling the earlier phony contract.
They bemoaned the open controversies, lies and deception which had become the lot of the all-important proposed bridge and stressed that it should be beyond politicisation. According to the synod, serious efforts should be geared towards reconstruction of Federal high ways in the South East which it adjudged as the worst in the country.
Taking its theme- Good News for the suffering world; from St. Luke 4 v 18; 19, the Synod, while congratulating Jonathan on his new position and the nomination of Prof Atahiru Jega as the chairman of the Independent National Electoral commission (INEC) charged the President to provide sufficient resources towards a free, fair, credible and peaceful elections in 2011.
The Synod reminded all INEC officials of the weight of responsibility and sacred duty on their shoulders and therefore were urged to produce a credible voters' register, adding that the journey towards credible polls starts there.
On the crisis within the education sector, it called for thorough review of the policy on the Joint Matriculation Examinations/Post-Unified Matriculation Examinations, expressing displeasure at the current general level of decadence in the sector in terms of staff, unprofessional behaviours, examination malpractices and cultism.
The Church urged Anambra state government to legally back up the hand over of schools to missions so as to enable the missions have firm control on both the structures and administration of their schools and to enhance sound moral and discipline.
The Nnewi diocese of the Anglican Communion also appealed to Governor Obi to be fair and magnanimous in his appointments and actions as the governor of Anambra State.
Source: Daily Champion, 25th June 2010.
Back
Akpabio Tasks FG on Security
By Our Reporter
Akwa Ibom State governor, Chief Godswill Akpabio has called on the Federal Government to address the increasing security problem in the country as a priority, so that the 2011 general elections will not be truncated.
Addressing correspondents yesterday at Akwa Ibom International Airport, shortly after arriving Uyo from Abuja, where he attended the swearing-in of Vice President Namadi Sambo, Akpabio also advised President Goodluck Jonathan to bring the amnesty programme to a conclusive end.
"The first thing is for the President to address the security situation of the country. The country needs to stable and secure for us to move forward. Without security, the polity cannot be stable. There are so many small arms around the region. He must address the security of the nation. There is this insurgency of militancy that is now leading to insecurity in the (South-south) region. The cross border crime is increasing daily, so there is need for the President to address this security problem so that in a way it will not affect negatively the 2011 elections.
"The next thing President Jonathan should do is to bring the amnesty programme to a conclusive end in a way that it will be positive for Nigeria. Today, the oil price has increased because of the declaration of amnesty in Nigeria. He must follow the late president's agenda by ensuring that oil bearing communities in the Niger Delta region are given their right of place. Part of that proposal is the 10 per cent equity in the share of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), that we must follow to the end", he said.
He said another problem Jonathan must address, "is the issue of marginalisation in terms of resource allocation meaning that we must properly address what kind of project is being done. How do we have better federal presence, what about Shell exploration, how do we ensure that they do not continue with polluted waters, how do we clean up the environment, you see people are fishing in polluted waters, people are inhaling polluted air. These are some of the issues bedeviling the Niger Delta".
On the proposed electoral reforms, Akpabio said: "It is important for Nigeria to have credible elections so that pretenders fighting for positions either on ethnic or violent grounds and politicians thinking of getting power through propaganda and falsehood would be flushed out''.
The governor cited the governorship elections in 2007 which Akwa Ibom people stood their ground and voted unanimously for a government of their choice, stating that "as a result of their decision, the government has provided them with dividends for all to see. The people are enjoying good sleep and don't want to wake up. As a governor, I go round the projects and get excited. This can also happen in the entire country where leadership comes from the people''.
He enjoined the Federal Government to address the thorny issues so that the people could enjoy the dividends of democracy, adding that "a true government would work for the people and a cabal government will work for a cabal".
Source: Daily Champion, 21st May 2010.
Surveyors Condemn Kidnapping in Akwa Ibom
FROM AYOYINKA OLAGOKE, UYO
AKWA Ibom Wing of the Nigerian Institute of Surveyors (NIS) has condemned the spate of kidnapping in the state.
Speaking at a media briefing in Uyo, Chairman of NIS, Akwa Ibom State branch, Sunday Eka, expressed shock over the recent attempted kidnap and assassination of the branch secretary, Felix Emmanson Udoh, in his office.
Eka stressed that the attempt on the life of Udoh, a former chairman of Obot Akara Local Council, was unacceptable to the group, adding that it was politically motivated.
His words: "Surveyors in Akwa Ibom State have condemned the spate of politically motivated kidnappings and assassinations in the country. The attempt on the life of Udoh is unacceptable to the NIS. We, therefore, call on stakeholders in the political process to be tolerant of other participants and advise them to carry out the activities within legal limits".
Narrating his ordeal, Udoh disclosed that two men have been arrested by the Police on suspicion of attempted kidnapping in his office on Thursday, May 6, 2010.
He explained that after the incident, he came under tremendous pressure by key political figures in the local council to withdraw the case against the arrested men, which he refused to do.
Udoh said: "However on the next day, while I was at the NIS meeting in Port Harcourt.
Source: The Guardian, 24th May 2010.
Police Arrest Traditional Ruler, Wife Over Kidnapping
The Police have uncovered a new dimension to kidnapping with the arrest, weekend, of a traditional ruler
who allegedly made his palace available for custody of kidnapped victims in Enugu State.
Igwe Cornelius Nomeh, the traditional ruler of Oruku in Nkanu Local Government of Enugu State, and his wife, Ngozi, were picked up by men of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad, SARS, Enugu, in connection with the abduction of a 20-year-old medical student, Miss Ifeoma Azubuike.
Luckily for Ifeoma, an unarmed policeman in mufti witnessed the abduction and gave precise information to men of the command that chased the kidnappers who slipped through the Police cordon.
However, the Police were able to trace the hideout, stormed the palace and rescued the victim, whose father is a Lagos-based banker, and without paying the N100m ransom that they demanded.
Three of the suspected kidnappers were picked up during the raid. They gave their names as John Odih, Chukwunonso Anigbogu and Williams Oriaku. Both Odih and Chukwunonso hail from the traditional ruler's hometown of Oruku, and are believed to be relations of the Igwe, while Williams Oriaku is from Mbaitoli in Imo State.
Enugu Police Command suspects that the three are members of an eight-man gang, and are in hot chase of the remaining members who escaped police arrest when the palace hideout was stormed.
Their confessional statements pointed to the complicity of the traditional ruler and his wife, leading to their subsequent arrest.
Anigbodu said he is a National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, member serving in Kwara State but was lured into this deadly act by one of his friends known as Friday., who is still at large. His job, he stated was to , provide a hide out for the gang where their victims could be kept until ransom was paid.
He said that he was promised the sum of Two Hundred Thousand Naira by the gang if the ransom is paid.
He further stated that he provided the hide out through one of his cousins, John Odih who is also among those arrested, and advised youths to be wary of the type of friends they keep.
Narrating her ordeal to The Dawn shortly after she was rescued, Ifeoma Azubuike a 20 year old medical student and daughter of a Lagos based banker said that she was abducted by three men in a Coal City taxi, who immediately blindfolded her and drove her to a village where she was kept for five days, adding that while in their hostage five members of the gang made contact with her parents in Lagos on phone demanding a ransom of N100 million.
State Command spokesman, ASP Ebere Amaraizu, confirmed the story and said that the kidnappers and the Igwe will be paraded before newsmen on Monday.
Reacting to the incident the Commissioner of police Enugu state Cp Mohammed H. zarewa described the incident as unfortunate and commended his security operatives and good spirited individuals that worked in partnership with them to record this remarkable achievement. He also assured the good people of Enugu state about his command's readiness to give responsive policing.
Source: Vanguard, 24th May 2010.
Back
Blame Threat to Igbo Language on Govts—Group
LAGOS—An Igbo socio-cultural group, Otu Ide Ndigbo, has blamed the extinction facing Igbo language in the country on governments at various levels.
The group made the disclosure in Lagos yesterday, at the media presentation of the book, Functional Igbo: Beginners' Guide to Igbo Language, which will be presented to the general public next week, in Lagos.
Secretary General of the group, Chief Eric Nwobi, said the governments showed no serious concern to the development of the language, forcing his association as a pillar of Igbo culture, to take up the task to abet the decline of Igbo language.
"All the Governors of the Igbo speaking states are invited, including the Ohanaeze President General, Chief Ralph Uwechue," he said.
The group, he said, had also observed the dearth of teaching tools, Igbo language teachers and that even parents lacked the teaching skills for the promotion of the language at home, hence their support for the book.
But Mr. Kalu Onuma, Secretary to Ndigbo Lagos, using the Russian example which drills a fresh student in Russian as he goes to study there, said the first five years of young Nigerian pupils should be a period for thorough drilling in a Nigerian language.
Source: Vanguard, 19th March 2010.
Group Blames Govt For Decline In Igbo Language
By Chioma Omeihe
An Igbo socio-cultural group Otu Ide Ndigbo, has blamed the extinction facing Igbo language in the country on governments at various levels.
The group made the disclosure in Lagos recently at the media presentation of the book, Functional Igbo: Beginners' Language, which will be presented to the general public next week, in Lagos.
Secretary General of the group Chief Eric Nwobi, said the governments showed no serious concern to the development of the language forcing his association as a pillar of Igbo culture, to take up the task to reduce the decline of Igbo Language.
All the Governors of the Igbo speaking states are invited, including the Ohaneze President General, Chief Ralph Uwechue," he said.
The group, he said, had also observed the dearth of teaching tools, Igbo language teachers and that even parents lacked the teaching skills for the promotion of the language at home, hence their support for the book.
But Mr. Kalu Onuma, Secretary to Ndigbo Lagos, using the Russian example which drills a fresh student in Russian as he goes to study there, said the first five years of young Nigerian pupils should be a period for thorough drilling in a Nigerian language.
Source: The Guardian, 20th March 2010.
Reviving Igbo language: A task for Ndigbo
By PAT ANYADUBALU
Thursday Sun, December 31, 2009
Language is the first and strongest identity of a person or people. And every person or group of persons try to protect and project their language. A declining language is a disappearing people.
The rate by which Igbo language is declining among the people calls for caution. My encounter with the new generation of ndigbo shows that many of them have lost their identities. People are known and measured for their value for their culture. Language is the beginning of every culture. There is no difference between the language of an ethnic group and its culture.
The history of ndigbo is not yet clear; however it could be traced to the lost tribe of Israel , Ujah (2008) probably during the Babylonian war. The history of Igbo nation is not important in this write up. The purpose of this piece is to find the causes of the decline of Igbo language and how to revive it without further delay.
Igbo is a language spoken by the people of South East of Nigeria. The state comprises, Anambra, Imo, Enugu , Abia, Ebonyi, and some communities in Delta, Cross River , Akwa Ibom, Edo and Rivers states. History believes that the language has been with us since the inception of Igbo nation. Igbo language gained prominence during and after colonial rule. The language was among the first indigenous languages to be translated by the missionaries. The language became a major language among the people of old Eastern Region.
IT became a medium of exchange (just like money) among people of the old Eastern region. Igbo was among the three indigenous language spoken in the federal owned media Houses (NTA and FRCN). It was equally among the first to be translated into indigenous Bible by the missionaries. By this rate, the culture of Igbo was deeply rooted into their blood. Every Igbo man was proud to be associated with his culture. Our culture then directs our ways of life. Ralph Linton states that "the culture of a society is the way of life of its members; the collection of ideas and habits which they learn, share and transmit from generation to generation" I remembered when and how the new yam festivals were widely celebrated in Igbo land. Every Igbo man from far and near do return home and gather at the village squares to celebrate the arrival of the new yam. Should I talk of the annual masquerade (mmanwu) festivals that were held in Nnamdi Azikiwe stadium in 1980s/90s? Today, nobody cares about what happened to this rich cultural heritage. In those days, Igbo culture flows like a blood in the veins of every Igbo man. It is true that ndigbo speak different dialect just like other tribes but the culture remains the same. Igbo nation constitutes a greater number of Nigerian populations. The people called indigbo are found all over the world displaying their different God gifted talents.
Ndigbo are enterprising, industrious, accommodating and they also have the spirit of self-reliance. They don't beg for alms. They are the only tribe in Africa that is proud to own properties outside their home states. Ndigbo believe that wherever they reside is their home. They settle down for the development of the area at the detriment of their original hometown. This is one of the reasons Igbo land still remain underdeveloped.
It is no longer news that ndigbo are the most industrious people in Nigeria . Any area of human endeavor you did not find them en mass, it is either the government has denied them the opportunity to excel or the business is not lucrative. However, where they chose to trade, they make use of the opportunity to consolidate their feet. Igbo, until now, do embark on exploration of Nigeria . Discovering Nigeria villages for Nigerians. Any village/ town you did not find Igbo man it is either the town is full of witch craft or there is communal war going on there. Ndigbo are the people who would do all kinds of legitimate work/business to make ends meet.
They would accommodate their relatives for apprentice which the latter would be settled in a future date according to Bible injunction. Among the tribes in Nigeria , ndigbo constitute the majority in any populated city ( Lagos , Kano , Jos and Port Harcourt ) in these cities, they built the most expensive houses. I pray that the case of abandoned property won't come up again. The busiest market in Nigeria belongs to ndigbo. Is it Alaba International Market, Idumota, trade fair complex Lagos are dominated by them? Sabo-ngeri market in Kano , Kaduna , Jos and other markets were developed by them. Outside Nigeria , the Missebo markets popularly known as Biafra market in Benin Republic/Togo are widely dominated by Igbo traders.
The history of Nigeria will not be complete without mentioning ndigbo. They have made indelible marks in the history of Nigeria , especially in commerce, industry and technological inventions. They have made great achievements in areas where others found difficult to dare. After the civil war, nobody believed that ndigbo can rise again. What I do not understand about the life of ndigbo is the rate other languages are absolving ours. Igbo Parents no longer teach their children the indigenous language of ours. What most parents teach to their children is English and other Nigerian languages. The kids are encouraged to speak only English at school by their teachers.
Other languages they learnt at school with their peers depend on the location. In the north, they speak Hausa, in the west, they would embrace Yoruba. Their parents do not have time to control them in choice of languages they speak. This is because their children spent most of the time with their friends both in school and other places. Fine and good. I don't dispute such development. What I am against is the use of another language at home, which is the only time parents have to speak Igbo and teach the children our history and culture. I did not mean idol worshipping as a culture but our pattern of behaviour.
The dos and don'ts in Igbo land. When all are seated at home, parents are expected to teach their children Igbo language including their history. I mean, borrowed languages should not be thought to our children at the detriment of ours, especially when they are with their parents. The only time parents have to be at home with them.. It is unfortunate that the English parents teach their children is not good enough to make them master of it.
The language is full of pigin or broken as it is popularly called. Among their peers, the English they claim to be conversant with becomes another problem to them. That is what the late Fela described as double wahala for dead body and the owner. During the time of this write up, I discovered that some parents have not visited home since they left Igbo land. There is no way their children could have mixed up with their relations except they visit home frequently. Those who claim to be visiting home at interval don't travel with their children. Some have sold their daughters to nothing in the name of marriage to strange people.
The last time some visited home was the time of Jun 12 crises. Why is it that ndigbo could no longer accept their God given language and culture. Many have denied the language because they are not fluent with the language. What a shame? If you speak Igbo to them, they would reply you in English or the language they understand better. A young sister asked me whether dem dey take am collect money for bank? I am aware that culture is dynamic and no culture is stagnant. It changes with time, but not to the extent that one won't be able to express oneself in one's language. Our good neighbors, The Yoruba and the Hausa cannot do without their languages no matter how learned they are. Meet Hausa/Yoruba man anywhere in the world he would maintain his identity irrespective of his status in the society. In the office and at home Yoruba and Hausa must uphold their culture and identities.
How would our forefathers feel in their graves if one informs them that Igbo language and culture are gradually disappearing among the people? It can't be true. I can't believe it. I remembered when Igbo was widely spoken among the people. I remembered when students use to be proud that they made high marks in Igbo language at school. Today, how many of our schools teach Igbo language. How many Igbo teachers/lectures do we have in our schools? How many students have graduated from the department of Igbo language in our universities for the past twenty years? Has anybody asked questions concerning this development?
This day, Politics and materials wealth have occupied our minds. It is a duty of every Igbo man including the writer to spread the massage beyond this piece. It will be a shameful thing if Igbo language disappears in Nigeria . If it would be possible for somebody to take up this challenge, i would like areas like wrong spellings of some Igbo towns and names to be corrected immediately. Names like Onitsha , Owerri, Mgbowo, Enugu , Nawffia, Awkuzu, Afikpo, Awka, Orlu and other towns were wrongly spelt by the colonial masters. English words like window, ball, and others should be provided in Igbo language.
The great Ogbalu O. Ogbalu did his best to sustain Igbo language before his death. Somebody has to start from where he stopped. The South East state House of Assemblies should pass a bill encouraging the modification and use of Igbo language at school. And also mandate every state Education Authority to set up a committee that would revive Igbo language. Schools should also be encouraged to take up Igbo language as a subject/course. Students should be encouraged to speak and write Igbo at school. A law should be established by the affected states to mandate students of Igbo extraction to pass Igbo language in primary and secondary schools.
A Scholarship scheme should be established in all the Igbo states to award scholarship to students who take up the language in the universities. Our universities should be encouraged to teach Igbo language by equipping their libraries. The south East governors, traditional rulers, well-meaning Igbo citizens, all Igbo Communities in diaspora and Ohaneze ndigbo should support this call to revive Igbo language both at home and in diaspora. If the South east traditional rulers led by Dr, Eze C.I Ilomuanya can ban the use of Eze ndigbo in diaspora. They can as well revive our language. The traditional rulers are the chief custodian of Igbo culture and tradition. If anything happens to our language and culture, our forefathers would hold them accountable. Igbo kwenu! Kwenu!! kwe zue nu!!! Ka chineke mezie okwu. Isee e.
Language is the first and strongest identity of a person or people. And every person or group of persons try to protect and project their language. A declining language is a disappearing people. The rate by which Igbo language is declining among the people calls for caution. My encounter with the new generation of ndigbo shows that many of them have lost their identities. People are known and measured for their value for their culture. Language is the beginning of every culture. There is no difference between the language of an ethnic group and its culture. The history of ndigbo is not yet clear; however it could be traced to the lost tribe of Israel , Ujah (2008) probably during the Babylonian war. The history of Igbo nation is not important in this write up. The purpose of this piece is to find the causes of the decline of Igbo language and how to revive it without further delay.
Igbo is a language spoken by the people of South East of Nigeria. The state comprises, Anambra, Imo, Enugu , Abia, Ebonyi, and some communities in Delta, Cross River , Akwa Ibom, Edo and Rivers states. History believes that the language has been with us since the inception of Igbo nation. Igbo language gained prominence during and after colonial rule. The language was among the first indigenous languages to be translated by the missionaries. The language became a major language among the people of old Eastern Region. IT became a medium of exchange (just like money) among people of the old Eastern region. Igbo was among the three indigenous language spoken in the federal owned media Houses (NTA and FRCN). It was equally among the first to be translated into indigenous Bible by the missionaries.
By this rate, the culture of Igbo was deeply rooted into their blood. Every Igbo man was proud to be associated with his culture. Our culture then directs our ways of life. Ralph Linton states that "the culture of a society is the way of life of its members; the collection of ideas and habits which they learn, share and transmit from generation to generation" I remembered when and how the new yam festivals were widely celebrated in Igbo land.
Every Igbo man from far and near do return home and gather at the village squares to celebrate the arrival of the new yam. Should I talk of the annual masquerade (mmanwu) festivals that were held in Nnamdi Azikiwe stadium in 1980s/90s? Today, nobody cares about what happened to this rich cultural heritage. In those days, Igbo culture flows like a blood in the veins of every Igbo man. It is true that ndigbo speak different dialect just like other tribes but the culture remains the same. Igbo nation constitutes a greater number of Nigerian populations. The people called indigbo are found all over the world displaying their different God gifted talents.
Ndigbo are enterprising, industrious, accommodating and they also have the spirit of self-reliance. They don't beg for alms. They are the only tribe in Africa that is proud to own properties outside their home states. Ndigbo believe that wherever they reside is their home. They settle down for the development of the area at the detriment of their original hometown. This is one of the reasons Igbo land still remain underdeveloped.
It is no longer news that ndigbo are the most industrious people in Nigeria . Any area of human endeavor you did not find them en mass, it is either the government has denied them the opportunity to excel or the business is not lucrative. However, where they chose to trade, they make use of the opportunity to consolidate their feet. Igbo, until now, do embark on exploration of Nigeria . Discovering Nigeria villages for Nigerians. Any village/ town you did not find Igbo man it is either the town is full of witch craft or there is communal war going on there. Ndigbo are the people who would do all kinds of legitimate work/business to make ends meet.
They would accommodate their relatives for apprentice which the latter would be settled in a future date according to Bible injunction. Among the tribes in Nigeria , ndigbo constitute the majority in any populated city ( Lagos , Kano , Jos and Port Harcourt ) in these cities, they built the most expensive houses. I pray that the case of abandoned property won't come up again. The busiest market in Nigeria belongs to ndigbo. Is it Alaba International Market, Idumota, trade fair complex Lagos are dominated by them? Sabo-ngeri market in Kano , Kaduna , Jos and other markets were developed by them. Outside Nigeria , the Missebo markets popularly known as Biafra market in Benin Republic/Togo are widely dominated by Igbo traders.
The history of Nigeria will not be complete without mentioning ndigbo. They have made indelible marks in the history of Nigeria , especially in commerce, industry and technological inventions. They have made great achievements in areas where others found difficult to dare. After the civil war, nobody believed that ndigbo can rise again. What I do not understand about the life of ndigbo is the rate other languages are absolving ours. Igbo Parents no longer teach their children the indigenous language of ours. What most parents teach to their children is English and other Nigerian languages. The kids are encouraged to speak only English at school by their teachers. Other languages they learnt at school with their peers depend on the location.
In the north, they speak Hausa, in the west, they would embrace Yoruba. Their parents do not have time to control them in choice of languages they speak. This is because their children spent most of the time with their friends both in school and other places. Fine and good. I don't dispute such development. What I am against is the use of another language at home, which is the only time parents have to speak Igbo and teach the children our history and culture. I did not mean idol worshiping as a culture but our pattern of behaviour. The dos and don'ts in Igbo land. When all are seated at home, parents are expected to teach their children Igbo language including their history. I mean, borrowed languages should not be thought to our children at the detriment of ours, especially when they are with their parents.
The only time parents have to be at home with them.. It is unfortunate that the English parents teach their children is not good enough to make them master of it. The language is full of pigin or broken as it is popularly called. Among their peers, the English they claim to be conversant with becomes another problem to them. That is what the late Fela described as double wahala for dead body and the owner. During the time of this write up, I discovered that some parents have not visited home since they left Igbo land. There is no way their children could have mixed up with their relations except they visit home frequently.
Those who claim to be visiting home at interval don't travel with their children. Some have sold their daughters to nothing in the name of marriage to strange people. The last time some visited home was the time of Jun 12 crises. Why is it that ndigbo could no longer accept their God given language and culture. Many have denied the language because they are not fluent with the language. What a shame? If you speak Igbo to them, they would reply you in English or the language they understand better. A young sister asked me whether dem dey take am collect money for bank? I am aware that culture is dynamic and no culture is stagnant.
It changes with time, but not to the extent that one won't be able to express oneself in one's language. Our good neighbors, The Yoruba and the Hausa cannot do without their languages no matter how learned they are. Meet Hausa/Yoruba man anywhere in the world he would maintain his identity irrespective of his status in the society. In the office and at home Yoruba and Hausa must uphold their culture and identities. How would our forefathers feel in their graves if one informs them that Igbo language and culture are gradually disappearing among the people? It can't be true. I can't believe it. I remembered when Igbo was widely spoken among the people. I remembered when students use to be proud that they made high marks in Igbo language at school. Today, how many of our schools teach Igbo language.
How many Igbo teachers/lectures do we have in our schools? How many students have graduated from the department of Igbo language in our universities for the past twenty years? Has anybody asked questions concerning this development? This day, Politics and materials wealth have occupied our minds. It is a duty of every Igbo man including the writer to spread the massage beyond this piece. It will be a shameful thing if Igbo language disappears in Nigeria . If it would be possible for somebody to take up this challenge, i would like areas like wrong spellings of some Igbo towns and names to be corrected immediately. Names like Onitsha , Owerri, Mgbowo, Enugu , Nawffia, Awkuzu, Afikpo, Awka, Orlu and other towns were wrongly spelt by the colonial masters. English words like window, ball, and others should be provided in Igbo language.
The great Ogbalu O. Ogbalu did his best to sustain Igbo language before his death. Somebody has to start from where he stopped. The South East state House of Assemblies should pass a bill encouraging the modification and use of Igbo language at school. And also mandate every state Education Authority to set up a committee that would revive Igbo language. Schools should also be encouraged to take up Igbo language as a subject/course. Students should be encouraged to speak and write Igbo at school. A law should be established by the affected states to mandate students of Igbo extraction to pass Igbo language in primary and secondary schools.
A Scholarship scheme should be established in all the Igbo states to award scholarship to students who take up the language in the universities. Our universities should be encouraged to teach Igbo language by equipping their libraries. The south East governors, traditional rulers, well-meaning Igbo citizens, all Igbo Communities in diaspora and Ohaneze ndigbo should support this call to revive Igbo language both at home and in diaspora.
If the South east traditional rulers led by Dr, Eze C.I Ilomuanya can ban the use of Eze ndigbo in diaspora. They can as well revive our language. The traditional rulers are the chief custodian of Igbo culture and tradition. If anything happens to our language and culture, our forefathers would hold them accountable. Igbo kwenu! Kwenu!! kwe zue nu!!! Ka chineke mezie okwu. Isee e.
Back
|
