As the spate of kidnaping continue across the country with a wedding ceremony ruined when terorists abducted the bride and about 52 women escorting her to her matrimonial home in Dandume Local Government Area of Katsina State, a top Northern Senator is allegedly being closely watched by security agencies spearheading terrorism, banditry and Kidnapping.
The influential lawmaker, who is also heading a sensitive committee in the senate, has been identified as one of the a sponsors and financiers of banditry and other terror-related activities in the North, competent sources told Saturday Vanguard last night.
Days ago, bandits who had previously collected N8.5 million before releasing four out of 17 abducted individuals, including a nurse in Kawu, Bwari area council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), demanded two brand new Bajaj motorcycles for the release of the remaining 11 victims still in captivity.
The bandits initially invaded Kawu community on December 26, 2023, and abducted 23 persons. Four of them managed to escape, leaving 17 others in captivity.
Meanwhile the rising cases of kidnapping in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja, Nigeria’s capital city, has left an undesirable economic impact on residents, a new report has said.
SBM Intelligence, a research advisory firm, disclosed this in its report titled ‘Inside Nigeria’s Hostage Capital: Unraveling the Economic Impact of Abuja’s Kidnap Epidemic’, released on Thursday.
The report explained that the current atmosphere of insecurity in Nigeria’s capital has contributed to a downturn in economic activities by 33 per cent.
The rate of kidnap in Nigeria’s capital city in recent months has left residents afraid for their safety.
SB Morgen’s report said Abuja has witnessed a significant surge in minor thefts, ‘One Chance’ robberies, armed robberies, and home break-ins, with the recent kidnap cases indicating a rapid deterioration in the country’s security situation.
The research firm said it conducted thorough interviews with residents across various locations in Abuja, to understand their apprehensions regarding the escalating cases of kidnapping and the economic effects.
In addition to these in-depth interviews, it said news reports detailing kidnapping incidents in the capital city were also analysed to provide a holistic overview.
Economic impact
Delving into the economic implications stemming from the surge in kidnappings in Abuja and its profound impact on the city’s residents, the report noted that there has been a 10 to 50 per cent rise in rent in upscale areas.
According to the report, the surge in crime rates, particularly kidnapping, is resulting in a decline in property values, especially in affected areas like Bwari and its surroundings. It noted that landlords are grappling with the repercussions as a significant number of individuals are relocating from these regions.
This, it said, could deter prospective buyers and investors, negatively impacting the local real estate market.
It explained that transportation fares are up by 100 to 250 per cent due to the prevailing crisis.
“The residents in the FCT find themselves grappling with increased transportation expenses, particularly for movement within the city centre,” it said.
It added that the widely used public transport service, ‘Along,’ has become a hotspot for ‘One Chance’ operatives, prompting residents to opt for more secure alternatives such as Bolt and Uber.
Worse still, the report said the increase in fuel prices has rendered these ride-hailing services relatively expensive.
Ripple Effects
The current atmosphere of insecurity has contributed to a downturn in economic activities, particularly impacting nightlife such as night markets, hangout spots and recreational and entertainment spots, the report said. This has resulted in a 33 per cent downturn in economic activities.
The report said many city workers, who often work late, now prefer to head straight home instead of engaging in late-night shopping or recreation.
“The decrease in foot traffic is evident as businesses face reduced patronage, driven by concerns about kidnapping. This economic downturn threatens financial losses for local and small enterprises,” the report said.
It said residents, including individuals and businesses, have taken to diverting extra resources toward reinforcing security measures.
“The heightened expenditure on security systems, personnel, and protective measures imposes additional strain on personal and corporate budgets. For many residents, acquiring supplementary security comes at a considerable expense, especially considering the prevailing economic challenges in the country,” it added.
The SBM report further showed that about 283 individuals were abducted between 15 January 2023 and 15 January 2024.
“Insecurity in and around Abuja is fuelling tensions in the capital, and although the violence is still mostly in satellite towns such as Bwarn and Kuje, our data, which spans between 15 January 2023 and 15 January 2024, shows a steady increase in abductions in the main city centres in Abuja Municipal Council Area, bringing insecurity closer to the heart of Nigeria’s government,” the report said.
Recommendation
To curtail the growing kidnapping incidents, SBM Intelligence recommends the urgent need for proactive government intervention to apprehend perpetrators and set a precedent, discouraging others from engaging in such criminal activities.
“Addressing the current lack of affordable public transportation in Abuja is a priority to enhance residents’ security while commuting.
Also, the report said the government needs to establish an ongoing dialogue with the community to understand and respond to residents’ needs.
“Introducing a governor, or ideally a mayor with autonomous executive powers separate from the federal government, would instigate accountability and prompt the adoption of protective measures,” it said.
The top sources, who spoke in confidence with our correspondent, admitted that the unpatriotic actions of the senator were already known to relevant government agencies and he would soon be made to account for his heinous deeds.
One of the sources said: “We are aware of the Senator’s unholy relationship with the enemies of state, including the number of times he had held noctornal meetings with kidnappers, bandits and terrorists in Abuja, the seat of power”.
It was also learnt that the parliamentarian, who is allegedly linked to an outspoken Islamic scholar, brings his overwhelming influence to bear on investigative activities of relevant security agencies.
Among other crimes allegedly committed by the lawmaker is the fact that he knows those behind the kidnap of some female students of the Federal University, Gusau, Zamfara State and the corps members from Akwa Ibom State who were seized on their way to Sokoto and have since been kept away by their abductors.
One of the top sources said further on the antics of the Senator: “Relevant security agencies have since unravelled the identity of a Senator from the North, who is the chief sponsor and financier of banditry and other terror-related activities in parts of the North.
“As a matter of fact, he is in marriage with the bandits, who have been terrorising the North Central and the North West general areas.
“His tendencies are so disruptive and over-arching that he interferes with the investigative activities of security and other law enforcement agencies, who have continued to make inroads into terrorism, sponsorship and financing.
“Let me shock you: investigations have so far revealed that the lawmaker knows where kidnapped Zamfara female varsity students, and members of the National Youth Service Corps are being held”.
Another informed source, who spoke in similar vein, said: “Security agencies are aware of the Senator’s disruptive activities and have placed him under surveillance, being a person of interest.
“While an influential Islamic scholar can be said to be in bed with suspected terrorists, this high-profile Nigerian is in marriage with the bandits, and you know what that mean.
“We are wondering why he was given such a sensitive chairmanship position to occupy, considering his antecedents, which were appropriately communicated to the highest authorities.
“The Senator is at the centre of banditry activities in parts of the North, especially in the North Central and North West general areas.
“He knows himself and he dare not try to intimidate anybody because all the meetings he held with banditry and kidnap kingpins in Abuja and elsewhere, are noted by revant agencies of government.
“The truth of the matter is that security agencies are doing their best in terms of intelligence, investigations and operations, but what they need to identify, isolate and bring terrorists and their sponsors/financiers to deserved justice, is the political will on the part of government”.
Sources: Premium Times/Vanguard
