Despite the noble intentions of it, Nigerians have been cautioned against crowd funding for ransome, as the act only embolden the kidnappers.
The advice is coming in the wake of the series of kidnapping and the brutal murder of 400 level student, Nabeeha Al-Kadriyar and 13 years old Folashade Ariyo, who were kidnapped from their homes alongside their families in Bwari Area Council.
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, gave the advice in Bwari Area Council on Wednesday, during a town hall meeting organized to address the incessant kidnapping in the council.
Wike, cautioned families of victims and well meaning Nigerians against taking to the media to solicit for funds, noting that such fundraising only emboldens the bandits to demand for larger sums.
According to the minister, “We are doing everything to see that those who have been kidnapped are released, but we want to appeal to you and let the public know this, yes, we know it is painful, but we cannot be encouraging kidnappers. 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.
“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.”
The minister, who disclosed that the onslaught on terrorist in the North East has made the area unfavourable to them, maintained that FCT Administration, with the support of security agencies, will make the FCT inconducive for criminals.
He specifically assured residents of Bwari that the administration would make the council unbearable for terrorist and their informants, adding that the FCTA was willing to give the security agencies the needed support.
“As I speak to you here, you never can tell. Some of their informants may be here. I do not care who you are. I am the Minister of the FCT, those who know my track record know. You won’t sleep again. Informants, you will not sleep again. I do not intend to give you details of what the security agencies are going to do, that is left for us.”
He asked the traditional rulers, residents and all stakeholders to assist the security agencies with credible information to help them fight terrorism in the FCT.
In his words, “All we require from you is your support. Everybody has a role to play, Information is key. Yesterday, when we had our security meeting, the FCT security meeting, all the Area Council Chairmen were there, and we agreed on certain things. I am sure that the security agencies would have started. We encourage the vigilantes, we encourage the hunters, and we are also going to encourage the Chairmen, by giving you support. He has asked for some vehicles; we will give you support.
“Without information, there is nothing we can do, and that is where you have to play a key role. Traditional institutions, you have a role to play, community leaders, you have a role to play, because, by information, you will help the security operatives to be proactive and take control before anything happens. And so, in the next few days, you will see the actions of the security agencies to make sure that this kidnapping is brought to a halt.”
Speaking earlier at the event, the Chairman of Bwari Area Council, John Gabaya, disclosed that the size and difficult terrain of the council has made the security challenges more difficult.
He therefore requested the provision of needed logistics to security agencies in the area, adding that they would require at least a vehicle and 7 motorcycles in each district for effective patrol and surveillance, while also appealing for training and retraining of hunters and villagers, engaged by the Council for their security.
Also present at the town hall meeting were heads of security agencies in the territory led by FCT commissioner of police, Garba Haruna, the Sarkin Bwari, Etsu Bwari, Senator Philip Aduda, clerics, hunters and vigilantees who are part of the joint task force.
