I have found it morally necessary to raise alarm over the rising cases of kidnapping incidents in our dear State, and the media black-out of the tragic events allegedly on the orders of the powers-that-be. The game plan is to continue to deceive Nigerians, and the Federal Government in particular, that “Jigawa state is Safe”, while in reality it is not!In the last two years, dozens of kidnapping incidents and the murder of policemen by bandits have taken place within the Northwest senatorial district alone, and where Governor Mohammad Badaru Abubakar, comes from. These unfortunate incidents have continued with little, or no attention given to them by either the local, or national media.
However, what is not in dispute is the fact that Jigawa State had, in the last 2 years, served as a cell, and a den for the kidnappers and bandits operating in the Northwest geographical zone. The role of civil society in exposing crime and criminality in society is an obligation on every well-meaning citizen, and I am happy and proud to be a peace activist, dedicated to the cause of raising people’s awareness in support of human rights, responsible governance, accountability, and democracy, among our other core values.
Any attempt by the state government to use law enforcement agencies in order to suppress the right of the people to truthful information is therefore an affront on civil liberties, and therefore unacceptable. It runs counter to the principle of the people’s right to know, under the United Nation’s Declaration of Human Rights, a violation of the Freedom of Information Act (FoI), as well as other global and regional agreements and conventions to which Nigeria is a signatory.
In view of the above, I hereby share the following evidence-based kidnapping incidents including the murder of policemen by bandits which occurred within the Governor’s senatorial district alone, and which I have tracked in the last 2 years:
S/N
Description/Name of Victim
Remark
Date
Status
1. Aisha Usman, house-wife, kidnapped at Gagarawa, headquarters of Gagarawa local govt. area.
Set free by her captives after 10 days in captivity.
April, 2020.
Ransom paid by her family.
2. Alh. Ali Dankoli Bausuwa, kidnapped at Bausuwa village on Gumel – Hadejia road.
Freed after 4 days in captivity.
16/12/2020 –20/12/2020
Ransom paid
3. Abasiyya Alasan Anda, house wife, kidnapped from Gujungu, Taura local govt. area.
Spent 9 days in kidnapper’s den.
26/12/2020 -05/01/2021
4. Salisu Idris, aka Duguje, killed by bandits on motor-cycles at Kwanar Danzomo, Sule Tankarkar local govt. area.
His killers eliminated him because the headlamp of his car were on, as they passed-by on motor-cycles with heavy arms.
16/12/2020
The bandits operated at both Maikilili and Bausuwa in Gagarawa and Maigatari local govt. areas, respectively in the same night.
5. Alh. Gambo Maikilili
Robbed at gun point in his village by the night marauders
16/12/2020
He was allowed to stay at home after the robbery.
6. Ummi Isa Zakari, the daughter of a former chairman, Maigatari local govt. area.
Kidnapped by a gang of bandits at Bausuwa village, Maigatari local govt., area.
16/12/2020.
Ransom paid.
7. Divisional Crime Officers (i) and (ii), Nigeria Police Force, Jigawa State Command, Maigatari Police Station.
Killed by bandits while on a mission to rescue kidnap victims at Fagen Gawo/Kalgo axis.
Date yet to be confirmed
8. Former Chairman, Garki local govt., killed by bandits.
Buried in Garki town the following day.
Date not ascertained
No ransom paid
9. The aged mother of the late Yahaya Danladi, former political adviser to Gov. Muhammad Badaru Abubakar.
Kidnapped at Kaya village, Garki local govt. area.
Date to be confirmed
Released at Gurufci village, Maigatari local govt. after ransom payment
10. Hajia Nana Sani, a house wife, kidnapped from Gagarawa, headquarters of Gagarawa local govt.
Freed after ransom payment.
Spent 19 days in bandits captivity between 2/3/2021 – 21/3/2021.
Released
11. Sarkin Fawan Yalawa, Gagarawa local govt. area.
Kidnapped from his Yalawa home, Gagarawa local govt., by bandits on motor-cycles.
July 2021
Freed upon ransom payment. Etc…
From the foregoing, It is crystal clear that Jigawa state had since slipped into the category of states where low-level kidnapping and banditry activities had since risen to alarming proportions whether they are allowed to be reported officially, or not.
For this reason, I plan to embark on a peaceful protest to raise awareness against the menacing threats of insecurity in my state, cum the North, in accordance with the provision of the Nigerian constitution. I welcome all patriots who are willing to join me in this endeavor to save our fatherland, and for peace to reign in the land of our birth.
Abba Malami
Peace & Civil Liberties Activist
Taura, Jigawa State.
DISCLAIMER
The OPINION / COLUMN is authored by independent contributors to the National Accord Newspaper. While contributors adhere to our editorial guidelines, they are not employed by the National Accord Newspaper. The perspectives and opinions expressed herein are solely those of the author and do not represent the views of the National Accord Newspaper or its staff.
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