Former Senate Minority Leader, Enyinnaya Abaribe, has raised concerns about the persistent challenges of kidnapping and banditry in Nigeria, suggesting that the failure of security agencies to curb these crimes indicates collusion between criminals and law enforcement. Abaribe, who has represented Abia South Senatorial District since 2007, shared his perspective on the issue during an episode of Inside Sources with Laolu Akande on Channels Television.
Expressing dismay over the ongoing issues despite the technological tools available to security agencies, Abaribe emphasized that the tracking capabilities provided by modern technology, such as geo-satellites and infrared, should enable the authorities to address criminal activities effectively.
Reflecting on his past arrest by the Department of State Services (DSS), Abaribe highlighted the tracking capabilities of mobile phones, even before the existence of the National Identification Number (NIN). He questioned the security agencies’ inability to track kidnappers who receive ransom payments in today’s era where every phone has an NIN, and every bank account is linked to a Bank Verification Number (BVN).
Abaribe asserted that collusion and a lack of concerted efforts to address security challenges contribute to the prevailing sense of malaise. He stressed the need for penalties and consequences for those responsible for security lapses, proposing that individuals held accountable for failures should face appropriate penalties, including imprisonment.
Addressing the recent kidnapping incident in Bwari, where a family was held captive, Abaribe referenced the demand for a ransom of N100 million and the subsequent killing of one of the victims. He highlighted the necessity of enforcing penalties for malfeasance and emphasized that accountability would be a catalyst for positive change in addressing security challenges.
In response to Abaribe’s concerns, former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Pantami, had earlier suggested that security agents were not effectively using the NIN to track criminals involved in nefarious activities.
