By Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Agence France-Presse
Published on 2024-01-20 09:01:34
The kidnapping of five young Nigerian sisters near Abuja has caused an uproar and raised concerns about the security situation in the country’s capital. The sisters were taken by armed men from their home, which is located 25 kilometers from the city center. Tragically, one of the sisters, Nabeeha Al-Kadriyar, was killed by the attackers when a ransom deadline passed, while negotiations for the release of the others were ongoing.
Kidnapping for ransom has become a prevalent issue in Nigeria, with criminals targeting various areas, including highways, apartments, and even schools. Following the public outcry over the sisters’ abduction, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu condemned the recent spike in kidnappings and bandit attacks. Questions have been raised about the government’s approach to tackling the issue, especially after criminal gangs targeted parts of the heavily guarded Federal Capital Territory.
According to the Nigerian risk consultancy SBM Intelligence, 283 people have been abducted in the Federal Capital Territory over the past year. Experts believe that the country’s economic crisis is contributing to the rise in abductions, as desperate individuals turn to crime for income. The insecurity around the capital has been escalating for years, with the attack on a prison on the outskirts of Abuja in 2022 being cited as a significant development.
The Federal Capital Territory’s minister has urged residents not to panic and has promised to find a solution. However, there are concerns that periodic crackdowns on criminals in Abuja’s satellite towns are ineffective. Nigerian law prohibits the payment of ransom to kidnappers, but many families feel they have no choice but to comply, given their lack of faith in the authorities.
The family of the abducted sisters has been struggling to negotiate with the bandits, even resorting to an online crowdfunding campaign to raise funds. The youngest of the sisters is only 14, and the trauma experienced by the family has drawn attention to the growing insecurity in Nigeria. President Tinubu has pledged to address the root causes of violence through education, but there are calls for a more precise strategy to combat the kidnapping crisis.
The kidnapping of the sisters underscores the chronic security challenges facing Nigeria, a situation that has been exacerbated by the growing economic hardship and rising criminal activities. Despite promises from political leaders to improve the security situation, the prevalence of abductions as a lucrative industry continues to pose a significant threat to the country.
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