Kidnapping: Association urges Anambra residents to take responsibility for their security

 

The National Association of Seadogs (NAS) has expressed worry over prevalent cases of kidnapping in Anambra State.

President, Onitsha Chapter, Benjamin Agbala, said this at the annual Feast of Barracuda lecture series, with the theme: “Kidnaping for Ransom by enhancing personal security.”

He identified ostentatious lifestyle, divulging personal information and other factors as responsible for fueling abduction cases.

According to Agbala, personal security remains critical to reducing the menace.

He urged residents to take responsibility for their safety and security.

He acknowledged efforts of present administration in nipping the menace in the bud, just as he noted the complementary role of his group, especially in public enlightenment.

He said: “We chose the theme because of rising cases of kidnapping in the state.

“Between last four years till date, lots of people have been killed, maimed and traumatised to these hoodlums’ activities.

“Two years ago, we lost a member to these criminals.

“Last year, we also lost another brother on his way to Abuja. He was shot by kidnappers.

“A lot of other innocent citizens have been killed by the hoodlums.

“The essence of the theme is to raise personal awareness.

“Gov. Chukwuma Soludo administration has reduced kidnaping to a very low level, but we can’t relax.

“We need to raise people’s consciousness on the need for their personal security.

“It is obvious that many attract problems to themselves, unknowingly.

“What we say publicly, how we conduct ourselves to a large extent is additional security to ourselves.

“We should avoid divulging information about ourselves publicly.

“Telling people about your movement is highly risky because you don’t know who you’re revealing the information to.

“Kidnappers are always on the watch, observing people’s lifestyle.

“You can become a prime target by your utterances and lifestyle.”

Delivering his paper, a guest speaker, Prof Robert Ogenedore, described personal security awareness as vital, but yet underutilised dimension of risk reduction.

He argued that effective personal security awareness required nuanced implementation that acknowledged Nigeria’s diverse security landscapes, socioeconomic realities and cultural contexts.

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