The rate of kidnapping in Nigeria has risen considerably in the last ten
years. Not less than 1,500 people are kidnapped on an annual basis in the
country thus making kidnapping more or less a new “cottage industry”. With the
statistical belief that one out of every 5 Africans is a Nigerian,
it may not be wrong to say with her population and the increase in the wave of
kidnapping, Nigeria has more potential kidnap victims than most of her West
African neighbours.
years. Not less than 1,500 people are kidnapped on an annual basis in the
country thus making kidnapping more or less a new “cottage industry”. With the
statistical belief that one out of every 5 Africans is a Nigerian,
it may not be wrong to say with her population and the increase in the wave of
kidnapping, Nigeria has more potential kidnap victims than most of her West
African neighbours.
–
The Street Journal, 9th April,
2013, www.thestreetjournal.org
The Street Journal, 9th April,
2013, www.thestreetjournal.org
According to the Black’s Law Dictionary, 10th
Edition, to kidnap is to seize and take away (a person) by force or fraud,
often with a demand for ransom.
Edition, to kidnap is to seize and take away (a person) by force or fraud,
often with a demand for ransom.
A recent statistic released by NYA
International, specialist crisis prevention and response consultancy, indicates
that Nigeria accounted for 26 per cent of kidnap and ransom incidents globally
in the first half of 2013. Kidnapping is
big business in Nigeria at this time, hardly does any month go by without news
or reports that someone has been kidnapped.
International, specialist crisis prevention and response consultancy, indicates
that Nigeria accounted for 26 per cent of kidnap and ransom incidents globally
in the first half of 2013. Kidnapping is
big business in Nigeria at this time, hardly does any month go by without news
or reports that someone has been kidnapped.
Moreso, as kidnappers seem to be no respecter
of persons, for they kidnap the poor, the rich or family members of the rich. This
is why states like Edo and Delta States have passed the Anti – Kidnapping laws and
imposed the death penalty for convicted kidnappers. I remember my friend’s mum
was kidnapped in Edo State years ago and I observed firsthand how the family
suffered during that period. Thankfully, she was returned unharmed.
of persons, for they kidnap the poor, the rich or family members of the rich. This
is why states like Edo and Delta States have passed the Anti – Kidnapping laws and
imposed the death penalty for convicted kidnappers. I remember my friend’s mum
was kidnapped in Edo State years ago and I observed firsthand how the family
suffered during that period. Thankfully, she was returned unharmed.
The Criminal
Code Act, CAP C38, LFN 2004, also provides a penalty for kidnapping. The law
provides in Section 364 that –
Code Act, CAP C38, LFN 2004, also provides a penalty for kidnapping. The law
provides in Section 364 that –
“Any person who –
1.
Unlawfully imprisons any person, and takes him out of Nigeria without his
consent; or
Unlawfully imprisons any person, and takes him out of Nigeria without his
consent; or
2.
Unlawfully imprisons any person within Nigeria in such a manner as to prevent
him from applying to a court for his release or from discovering to any other
person the place where he is imprisoned, or in such a manner as to prevent any
person entitled to have access to him from discovering the place where he is
imprisoned,
Unlawfully imprisons any person within Nigeria in such a manner as to prevent
him from applying to a court for his release or from discovering to any other
person the place where he is imprisoned, or in such a manner as to prevent any
person entitled to have access to him from discovering the place where he is
imprisoned,
Is guilty of a felony
and is liable to imprisonment for ten years. “
and is liable to imprisonment for ten years. “
The
rise in kidnappings has been attributed largely to the poor standard of living
and unemployment. However, no reason is ever good enough to commit a crime
especially when it involves putting the lives of others in jeopardy.
rise in kidnappings has been attributed largely to the poor standard of living
and unemployment. However, no reason is ever good enough to commit a crime
especially when it involves putting the lives of others in jeopardy.
Adedunmade
Onibokun, Esq.
Onibokun, Esq.
@adedunmade
References
–
The Independent Newspaper
The Independent Newspaper
http://independentnig.com/2013/08/nigeria-accounts-for-26-of-kidnap-globally/
–
The Street Journal
The Street Journal
http://thestreetjournal.org/2013/04/kidnapping-nigeria%E2%80%99s-fatest-growing-industry/
– Photo Credit: www.africanspotlight.com