Wike: We Must Stop Paying Ransom to Kidnappers, Bandits

•FG declares crowdfunding for ransom in kidnap cases against extant laws

•Rise in criminal activities demands immediate, resolute action from all, says IG

•Inaugurates special intervention squad for battle

•FCTA to compile list of illegal settlements, shanties

Deji Elumoye, Kingsley Nwezeh and Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, yesterday, cautioned the public against the practice of paying ransom to bandits and kidnappers, because on the contrary, it encourages the scourge.

This was as the federal government, has warned against crowdfunding in support of ransom payment to kidnappers by relatives of victims, saying there was an extant law against it.

Minister of Defence, Abubakar Badaru, gave the warning while fielding questions from reporters after the maiden 2024 Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting, presided by President Bola Tinubu at State House, Abuja.

But Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, declared yesterday that the security forces would be decisive in their renewed bid to contain kidnappers and armed bandits running amok in the nation’s capital. Egbetokun made the declaration in Abuja during the launch of a special intervention unit of the Nigeria Police to tackle the menace of kidnappers, bandits, and other criminal elements, especially in the FCT.

As part of efforts to stem the tide of insecurity, the Department of Development Control of FCT Administration said it had begun to compile a list of all shanties and informal settlements in Abuja for verification purposes.

The warning against ransom payment followed reports that Nigerians had raised over N50 million through crowdfunding to pay the ransom for the release of five daughters of Abuja resident, Mansoor Al-Kadriya.

Six siblings had been abducted from their father’s house in Bwari Council, Abuja, on December 26, 2023, alongside their father. Although their father was later released to go and raise the ransom, the kidnappers killed one of his daughters, Nabeeha, last Friday for failing to raise the said ransom, leaving five in captivity.

Wike, who cautioned the public against paying ransom to bandits and kidnappers through crowdfunding, made the plea yesterday at a town hall meeting on insecurity held at Bwari Area Council.

The meeting was attended by heads of security agencies in the territory, led by FCT Commissioner of Police, Garba Haruna; the Sarkin-Bwari, Alhaji Awwal Musa Ijakoro; and Chairman of Bwari Area Council, John Gabaya.

Gabaya said the council was planning to mobilise 50 hunters and 50 vigilantes into a joint security taskforce and support them with logistics, to complement the efforts of the security agencies in protecting the 90 villages and 16 districts that constitute Bwari Council.

Wike lamented that the practice of raising ransom through crowdfunding gained traction after N700 million was demanded by bandits as ransom for seven residents of Sagwari Estate Layout, Dutse, who were abducted recently.

He said, “We have to stop this idea of going to the radio to say we are ready to raise money. When you do that, those criminals are happy. They are happy when the people that are concerned, you people, want to raise money.

“No. I know it is painful that your wife, your children, and your husband have been kidnapped. All we want is to stop it, not to encourage it.

“Journalists should also help us. We need the support of everybody. The kind of news you write also will encourage them.”

Wike promised to go on hot pursuit of bandits constituting a nuisance for the residents of FCT and making life miserable for them.

He stated, “It is no longer going to be business as usual. Everything has to be done to protect lives and property. Without protection of lives and property, then we have no business in government.

“My coming here today is to assure you that we are very serious. All those criminals, bandits, enough is enough! We will do everything in our power to make sure that we will not allow this to happen again.”

The minister said he got the approval of the president yesterday morning to provide all the logistics required to support the security agencies. He said the security agencies would no longer give any excuse of being underequipped, as they would be provided with all necessary logistics.

“I know how big Bwari is,” he stated, adding, “I know that you have boundaries with three states: Niger State, Kaduna State and Nasarawa State. I know because these bandits were chased away from the North-east, so they are making their way here, we will make it hot for them.”

Earlier, Gabaya disclosed that the council comprised 16 districts and over 90 villages and hamlets, adding that the size and difficult terrain of Bwari council made the security challenges huge.

He requested that the needed logistics be provided to security agencies in the area, and added that they required at least a vehicle and seven motorcycles in each district for effective patrol and surveillance.

The Bwari area council chairman also appealed for training and retraining of hunters and villagers engaged by the council for security.

Commenting on crowdfunding for purposes of ransom payment, Badaru said there was an existing law that prohibited the payment of ransom to kidnappers.

According to him, “We all know that there is an existing law against payment of ransom. So, it is very sad for people to go over the internet and radio asking for donations to pay ransom.

“This will only worsen the situation, it will not help the situation at all, as you have seen. Initially, they asked for N60 million and now because of this funding and I learnt somebody has raised N50 million already through friends and media, and the kidnappers jacked up the ransom.

“We believe we have to stop. As painful as it is, we have to stop responding to requests for ransom. If we stop, overtime the kidnapping will not be profitable and they will stop.

“It is not easy though, that is the law, that you know. So, we want to call on the people to manage the kidnapping situation intelligently and very quietly, because talking too much about it, most especially, raising funds through the public, media, is not productive at all and should be discontinued.”

The minister, who also condemned the activities of terrorists and kidnappers wreaking havoc across the country, noted that kidnapping in the FCT was high within the area councils.

He said, “We are aware that Mr. President called us and all the service chiefs to discuss this issue. So, concerted efforts are being made by security agencies to stop it immediately.

“These kidnappings happen around the suburbs, around locations that are bordering Kaduna and Niger. And this is as a result of the current operations going on in the North-west and some parts of North-central.

“The bandits are fleeing and they are getting shelters around these areas and the security agencies are working very hard to push them out, block the movement and finish this thing once and for all.

“The president has given us the marching order and all the support that we need and what the security agencies need to end this thing.”

IGP: Security Forces in Renewed Bid to Decimate Kidnappers, Bandits in Abuja

The IGP declared that the security forces would be decisive in their renewed bid to contain kidnappers and armed bandits threatening the FCT.

Abuja had witnessed rampant kidnapping of residents for ransom, especially in the outskirts, lately, often resulting in deaths, while some are still in captivity.

In furtherance of the security imperatives of the nation’s seat of power, Egbetokun launched a Special Intervention Squad (SIS) to contain the activities of kidnappers and other criminalities in Abuja.

Speaking at the launch of SIS, the IGP said the intervention was precipitated by the alarming rise in violent crimes, which required commensurate response.

He stated, “I am imbued with a profound sense of duty as we confront the crisis of kidnappings and violent crimes presently afflicting our esteemed nation, particularly in and around the Federal Capital Territory.

“The alarming rise in these criminal activities, without equivocation, demands immediate and resolute action from us all. It is, thus, with a determined spirit that I proudly announce the inauguration of the Special Intervention Squad (SIS).”

Egbetokun said the intervention squad was “conceived as an elite unit of the Nigeria Police Force. The SIS composed of specially trained, well-equipped and highly mobile police officers, and possesses the capacity for rapid intervention and effective containment of significant security breaches, such as those currently threatening the suburb of the FCT and creating panic generally.

“This initiative is not just born out of necessity, but out of foresight, diligent planning and commitment to enhancing the already robust security architecture of our nation’s capital.”

He explained that SIS stood as a testament to the rejection of criminality in all forms.

Egbetokun stated, “It is a declaration of our commitment to reclaiming our streets, neighbourhoods, and cities from the clutches of lawlessness.

“We are mobilising the entirety of our resources, both human and technological, to ensure the triumph of justice and to provide our citizens the liberty to live without fear for their own safety and that of their loved ones.”

He said the squad was “envisioned to include a thousand personnel in each state, the SIS is launched today with officers and men from each tactical unit of the force, supplemented by a formidable arsenal of operational assets, including sophisticated arms, drones, and vehicles.

“These assets, some of which are displayed here, are ready for deployment to counteract the security threats. This deployment symbolises our unwavering commitment to the safety and security of our people, sending a clear message that criminal elements will find no sanctuary within the FCT, and by extension, Nigeria.”

The IGP further assured that the intervention was not symbolic.

He said, “To all citizens of Nigeria, we assure you that this operation is not a mere symbolic act. It is a tangible demonstration of our dedication to your security. We recognise the suffering endured by victims of violent crimes and the anxiety pervading our communities.

“This operation is intended to bring a swift and decisive end to this era of terror. It should also be noted that we are collaborating with the military and other security agencies in ensuring the success and we are confident that with your support, we will be successful.

“As we inaugurate the Special Intervention Squad (SIS) today in the FCT, let us unite against the forces threatening the very fabric of our society.

“May this operation serve as a beacon of hope as we collectively strive to make the FCT, its environs, and, ultimately, the entire nation, safer for all. May justice be swift, and may peace permeate the entire landscape of Nigeria.”

FCTA to Compile List of Illegal Settlements, Shanties in Abuja

 The Department of Development Control of FCT Administration has begun to compile a list of all shanties and informal settlements for verification purpose. Director of the Department of Development Control, Mukhtar Galadima, disclosed this during the removal of illegal shanties and shops at Durumi.

Galadima said the move was aimed at identifying and addressing the issue of illegal shanties and informal settlements that could harbour criminal activities.

He added that the plan was also part of the administration’s broader strategy to enhance security and orderly development within the FCT.

Galadima stated, “Looking at the rising insecurity in FCT, we were mandated to clear all shanties and squatter settlements in the Federal Capital Territory. So, this is in line with the directive given by the FCT Administration.

“The exercise is not limited to the city centre, we are going beyond the city centre. But we have a line of direction, that is why we are starting from the city centre outward.

“Where we are clearing now is the continuation of Moshood Abiola Way, which starts from the International Conference Centre, runs through Area 10, Area 2, down to Durumi, going to Games Village.  You can see this is a road stretch known as Festival Road then.”

Meanwhile, Secretary, Command and Control, FCTA Department of Security Service, Dr Peter Olumuji, described Durumi as a particularly notorious spot, where people arbitrarily build on road corridors because of the belief that the authorities could not have a definite address to track them down.

Olumuji stated, “So, that is why we are here, as we are clearing it, we are removing the vices within this environment because most of these boys here around in the night time they become something else to those who ply this road and even under Area 1 bridge. This is a holistic clearance we are also doing in curbing crime.”

On the sale of drugs, Olumuji said the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the task team had been going round and some substances, suspected to be Indian hemp, had been confiscated.

Olumuji said, “That is part of the devices we are talking about because here, people have access to any type of drugs and what we are also doing, like I said, is holistic. Definitely, as we clear them, they will have no way to stay around and they will just have to leave this environment.”