Why Kidnapping thrives in Nigeria

The Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG) for Lagos and Ogun, Mr Mamman Tsafe, has attributed the high rate of kidnapping to payment of ransom by relatives of the abducted.
Tsafe told newsmen on Tuesday in Abeokuta that it was important for relatives of victims to trust the police and show understanding in the rescue operations.
Tsafe, who was in Abeokuta as part of his routine visit to formations under his commands, said: “When you pay ransom to kidnappers you are only telling them that they are in the right business. We implore relatives to believe in us rather than discuss with kidnappers,’’ he advised.
He called for the cooperation of relatives of kidnapped victims as well as public-spirited individuals in the fight against kidnappers.
He said it was important for citizens to provide information that could help the police in tracking down not just the kidnappers, but also other criminals in the society.
The AIG said that Lagos and Ogun commands had been adequately equipped to tackle the menace of armed robbers, and to make both states safe for all and sundry during the Yuletide period.
“We understand that the government of Ogun is making roads, and banks are relocating; we are adequately prepared and I will not like to disclose our strategies.
“In addition to our normal routine patrols of banks and other strategic places, we also have taken some measures to check criminals and make our people sleep with their eyes closed.
He stated that some suspects had been arrested in connection with the killing of five policemen in Ogun in November, adding: “they are giving us very useful information that could lead to more arrests’’.
“They have confessed that their gang had killed more than 11 policemen across the country, but we don’t want to talk too much for now,’’ he said.
Tsafe urged residents to go about their normal duties, saying that the police were on top of the security situation in both states.