Saraki: Nigeria should learn from countries that defeated kidnapping

Bukola Saraki, former senate president, says Nigeria should learn from countries that successfully tackled kidnapping. 

Nigeria has witnessed a spike in banditry, killings, attack on public infrastructure and kidnapping for ransom.

Speaking during a webinar organised by The African Political Institute (TAPI) and Adopt A Goal for Development Initiative on Friday, Saraki asked the country to adopt the measures employed by some nations in addressing the crime.

“It bears stating that kidnapping is not uncommon global phenomenon. Other countries, in the course of their respective histories, experienced similar problems,” he said.

“Nigeria can and should definitely learn from such nations as have successfully combated this form of insecurity.

“There is no need to reinvent the wheel in this regard. This is why my first contribution to today’s discussion is to ask the question.

“Why can’t Nigeria reach out to this countries, which had experienced the same problem, and they have successfully managed it, so that we can learn for what they did or stop doing to solve or reduce a problem?

“I remember in the 70s and 80s, Pakistan, for example, used to experiences large number of cases of kidnapping, we can learn from the experience and how they dealt with this problem,” Saraki said.

The former senate president also advised youths who are skilled in information technology to use it in combating the crime.

“It would be interesting if some of our experts, particularly our youth, who are participating in this discussion, especially the IT gurus, to tell us why in today’s world, the problem is not tackled,” he said.

“It baffles people like myself, that in today’s world with the use of satellite and telecommunication, how is it possible that people can get kidnapped and we are not able to locate where they are for days and weeks?

“Also, how is it possible that a huge amount of money can be paid as ransom in cash and cannot be traced?

“Are we saying that they’re not monetary policies that can be put in place that would deter people from having to be in such possession of such huge amount of cash.”