More than ever, now looks to be the perfect time to put forward solutions to the spate of insecurity in Nigeria. Amongst the diverse forms insecurity is demonstrated and manifested, kidnapping now looks to be a daily trend in the country. About two decades ago, there were few predictions to the rise of a new occupation that has central to its operation — man holding hostage a fellow man in an enclosed location and that without his consent.
Personally, and to many who have found a home within the shores of Nigeria for the past decades, the rise of kidnapping looks to have grown — like the tree that is implanted on a fertile and enabling soil — as it were. This tree has grown with us and sadly has become a part of us.
And just like the establishment of any other social vice, with time, we have become comfortable and in fact dismiss recurrent tales and woes of ‘man holding hostage a fellow man’. We see the news headlines and we sigh and skip the ‘sad’ news announcing a new incidence.
Have we now become accustomed to adopting the most cruelest form of modern slave trade as an occupation. The sale of a human back to the same society where he/she comes from and the utilization of the proceeds of the illicit crime to keep other humans in existence and able to enjoy the pleasures of life. Parasitic you could argue!
The use of crude and lethal implements while now at the highest proliferation levels begs the question — ‘How did we arrive at the juncture? Were we all asleep while this plant grew and consumed us all?
Are we not losing touch with the consternation and connection with the base of living — humanity and divinity- from whence we came?
We couldn’t but agree more that the erstwhile impossibilities — though from a negative perspective are shattering from their roots and giving way to an innovative modus operandi by those who have now taken full time to this occupation.
But as always, we will match idea for idea, growth for growth and skill for skill if this is to be curbed from escalating beyond their present unbearable height.
Criminality in itself, while yet transcending borders and continents is to be fought within the ambit of the instituted laws of the territorial society.
While be bemoan and wail, let us not forget so soon the possibilities technology as a game changer has presented to us to stem this tide.
How is it possible that a human disappears without a trace? Also, how is it possible that we do not leave without a trace?
What level of comfort has the car tracking system afforded humans since its adoption and popularity? Also, what level of comfort would human tracking afford humans themselves and their loved ones knowing that we do not lose touch of our existence in a twinkling of an eye — by going off radar at the behest of an armed gang.
You could now guess that the all encompassing solution to the menace of kidnapping is the discovery of the means of human trace. The waves of contention on religious, social and moral grounds will be great but I foresee a permanent solution that is central to purpose and will. I get some comfort that law enforcement agencies in data driven societies are exploring this in a realist form.
How can this happen? How will this happen? Time will tell. Howbeit, the future is now.
Let us brace up for the wind of change coming.
