Anambra State at Last Free of Kidnappers! - By Ephraim Elombah

People of Anambra State origin living abroad can now return to their towns in Anambra State without fear of being kidnapped. This follows a continuous period of living without new reports of incidence of kidnapping in the State.
Around the year 2,000, the Bakassi was at work in Anambra State. During that period, there were incessant reports of armed robbery around Oba. People would not go to market to buy goods without fear of being robbed of their hard-earned money. Banks were robbed. Security officers were over-powered and armed robbers entered banks, robbing them of money deposited by customers. It was for these reasons that the government enlisted the Bakassi as security groups of men in uniform formed, one after another, could not stem the tide.
The Bakassi were said to use charms, super-natural powers, to determine who was guilty of stealing another person’s belonging. For this reason, some people opposed their being employed as official security operatives. Such persons reasoned that law breakers should be tried by the court before being proven guilty. 
With the introduction of the Bakassi, incidence of armed robbery declined. Opposition to the use of Bakassi increased, they also did not find support of the Federal Government. The State at last decided to stop the use of Bakassi as security operatives. Today, their remains can be found within vigilante groups formed here and there all over the State.
Although the incidence of armed robbers attacking traders declined in Anambra State of Nigeria, unfortunately, the needs of those who are out of the job market, and others who otherwise are dependent on stealing what belongs to others, had not been addressed. Reports developed of new methods of robbing people of their money – people were kidnapped and huge sums demanded as a ransom for their release. The rich, especially, were targeted as they were the ones who possessed the kind of amounts demanded by the hoodlums. People returning home from different places for different reasons became prey, especially if they go around on jeep and very expensive cars. Unfortunately, others who came home from where they live overseas also became targets whether they possessed or not.
Consequently, everyone living overseas became afraid of coming home to Anambra State. Incidence of kidnapping continued. Some people who were kidnapped and their families were actually afraid of reporting to the authorities. They and their loved ones preferred to negotiate with the kidnappers. For one thing, they feared that a combat with the police may result in the loss of life of their loved one. For another, they are afraid that corrupt men in uniform may be working hand in glove with armed law breakers.
By this time the Anambra State government under the leadership of former governor Peter Obi intensified efforts to rid the State of the activities of these kidnappers, and he succeeded. His successor, Governor Willie Obiano has also followed where he stopped. The police force was mobilised and people of Anambra State worked cooperatively with law enforcement agencies.
Now, reports have stopped arising of new cases of kidnapping. This is so remarkable as this is a festive period during which people come home to stay for various purposes.
Cases of kidnapping and related crimes should etch many lessons into the minds of Nigerians. Stealing and other ways of doing away with other people’s belongings neither pay nor will they stand the test of time. Those who have no means of livelihood should learn some trade as this is the only way to fend for themselves and those who depend on them. In the same vein, those who are rich should not flaunt their riches as this makes those who are not to feel that there is much that they are lacking. When those who are rich go on jeep and very expensive cars and otherwise show off their belongings, those possessions can easily become targets for robbers.
Vocational and technical schools should equip their graduates to be able to develop their own trade because Nigeria is a capitalist State and cannot employ all the citizens and this according to their choice of trade. Secondary school curriculum should be developed to be able to equip school leavers with a trade and become self-employed.
It should be noted that Nigerians, by and large, do not trust the law enforcement agents. Some incidences of loss of possession go unreported simply because some victims fear that reporting would make their cases worse. The Nigerian forces should ensure the integrity of people they employ and train as the citizenry depend on them for security.
The citizenry need the law enforcement agents for their security and the law enforcement agents need the citizenry for information about committed crimes.
Residents of Anambra State are indeed grateful for the efforts put forth by former governor Peter Obi and his successor, Governor Willie Obiano for curbing incidence of kidnapping in their area.