[size=15pt]LGA pay N30 million to kidnappers[/size]

The rising wave of kidnappings, hitherto a Niger Delta phenomenon, has become a national problem defying a quick fix. Despite efforts by security agencies to battle criminal groups engaged in kidnappings, hardly a week passes without a news report of Nigerians being abducted by militant gangs. In this special report by Musa Simon Reef, Jamila Nuhu Musa, Martin Paul, Josephine Ellah and Esther Elegbe, the country's security comes under threat, as security agencies are caught napping in confronting the activities of criminal engaged in abductions for ransom payments.

When Mr. Ernest Abba, chairman of Igalamela local government, arrived the Optimum Pleasure Hotel, located among thick bushes along Obajana-Kabba road in Kogi State for a meeting with his colleagues, he never knew the dilemma that would confront him shortly. In a dare devil attempt, some youths with sophisticated weapons stormed the hotel and kidnapped him and Mr Ropo Asala, the chairman of Yagba West Local Government.

By the time the ordeal was over, Abba was forced to spend N30 million to secure his release and that of his wife. The dusk sparked off by Abba’s kidnapping is yet to settle, as councillors of the council are sharply divided over the legality of using council’s money to pay the ransom demanded by his kidnappers.

A source told our reporters that the decision to use council’s funds were arrived after the chairman agreed to the captors’ demand of N30 million for both the chairman and his wife. Political office holders in the local government, according to our sources, frown at the decision because the kidnap saga was politically motivated based on insincerity and unfulfilled political promises.

Following the kidnapping of Abba, councilors have deserted the secretariat, and most of the offices locked. A source at Igalamela secretariat said Abba has not shown up in his office since he was kidnapped.

Effort to reach Abba was in vain when Peoples Daily visited his residence at 35 Odolu Road, Idah in Kogi State. Five men, including an armed mobile policeman, barricaded the entrance to his house. One of the men, who claimed to be the head of his personal security, told our reporters that the council boss had travelled out of town with his wife.

http://www.peoplesdaily-online.com/index.php/news/national-news/16-national-news/3736-kidnappings-how-safe-are-nigerians

This has suddenly become so lucrative a venture. #30million in a couple of days! I don't think there is anything that can deter kidnapping from spreading.

Welcome to Nigeria

How are we sure that it is not :

1. The local chairman himself that plan the 'kidnapping' so that he can then share the ransom/loot with his 'abductor'  or even maybe in collusion with his councillors to cover money 'shared'

2. That it is not an attempt to raise the security profile (as I  personally  think  Benue State Governeor is doing) to get more security vote from the Federal overnment in a run up to the next election.

Then all of a sudden Local government can find N30 million very quickly when they cannot find that such money to do anything in their local government.


CORRUPTION BREEDS MORE CORRUPTION. WHERE THERE IS NO LEADER EVERYBODY PLAY KING FOR THE DAY.

NIGERIA; GOOD PEOPLE, GREAT NATION, ANTI-PEOPLE GOVERNMENT

kidnappers can lay claim to a share of the national cake too

politicians get it by corruption
criminals get it by kidnapping

Welcome to the new Nigeria