Upsurge of kidnapping incidence in FCT and the place of utilitarian theory of crime

By Opaluwa Eleojo Simeon, BSc, MSc, Criminology and Security Studies

Kidnapping is a criminal act of the unlawful taking or carrying away of a person by force usually with the aid of dangerous weapons, or an unlawful seizure of a person against his or her will for ransom or in extreme cases, for sale to ritualists. This kind of crime is categorised as a violent crime.

Kidnapping is as old as man and not new to us in Nigeria as it is witnessed in many parts of Nigeria daily. In fact, there’s no place in Nigeria that is free of this type of violent crime, but the situation in the FCT, the Nigeria capital city and its environ is becoming very worrisome and a source of concern to criminologists and security analysts.
The residents of FCT no longer sleep with their two eyes closed, nor keep late night outings for the fear of being kidnapped.

Sunday Vanguard of 21st January, 2024 in its cover story captioned it as ” 85 seized in 96 hours of horror”. This terrifying report shows that the Nation’s capital city is under a seige and at the mercy of this criminal elements.
Only a few days ago, an Estate belonging to the Nigeria Army at Kurudu was attacked by this elements taking away two of its occupants with the demand of thirty million naira as ransom. This is outside the countless report of such incidence in Bwari, Kuje, Tunga Maje etc.
Report has it that the Federal Capital Territory is surrounded by Boko Haram members in a new uniform, and dressed as kidnappers. The collective responsibility of all stakeholders; security agencies and citizens alike is needed to bring this deadly monster to a defeat.

Sunday Punch in its bold headline story on 21st January, 2024, reported that “following the upsurge of kidnapping incidence in Abuja, Nigerians have devised means of self – Defense strategies by Employing more armed vigilantes, erect additional gates, mount roadblocks in communities, search visitors vehicles etc”. These are effort put in place by citizens to keep themselves safe.
Government on its own has put in place measures aimed at meeting it’s constitutional requirement, which part of it, is the safety of it’s citizens. This is however reactionary to crime incidences, as the police and it’s sister agencies ought to be practically ahead of this criminals through intelligence gathering and technologically aided policing.
Part of this measures is the security meeting summoned by the Hon. Minister of FCT recently, leading to the minister making a declaration that Abuja will no longer be safe for kidnappers and other criminals alike.
Another of such measures is the inauguration of a Special Intervention Squad by the Inspector General of Police to keep the FCT safe with about five hundred of its men and headed by a Commissioner of Police, with a sound record of achievement.
This interventionist measure should be extended to all the state of the federation because of the spill over effect.
In the last 48 hours, this effort is beginning to yield result of success. Amongst which is:
1. The arrest of a notorious kidnapping kingpin, Chinaza Phillip, who has been terrorising the city.
2. Bursting of kidnappers ring and arresting three suspects.
3. Rescue of some of the Bwari kidnapped victims.
4. The foiling of attack on the River Park Estate along the Airport Road.

One of the things that have emboldened this criminal elements is our slow system of Criminal Justice Administration.
The utilitarian theory of crime should be activated because,it has a uniquely potent deterrent effect on criminals and potentially violent offenders for whom the threat of imprisonment is not a sufficient restraint.
The practice of execution by firing squad should be reintroduced into our criminal justice system.
There’s an urgent need for the establishment of a special court to cater for violent crimes such as kidnapping instead of the regular court, and all cases has to be disposed within 30 days.

With the return of the ” *firing squad* ” practice of execution of criminals in public glare, violent crime especially, will be reduced to a considerable level.

The time to act is now.

Achimugu, a Labour Activist writes from Kogi State