Thread: Kidnapping, our new nightmare
I begin with the Name of Allaah, the Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful.
“The recompense for those who wage war against Allaah and His Messenger and do mischief in the land is only that they shall be killed or crucified or their hands and their feet be cut off from opposite sides, or be exiled from the land.....
"......That is their disgrace in this world, and a great torment is theirs in the Hereafter.” Qur’an 5:33
Scholars said that the above referenced verse is the punishment for the crime of threatening public security. And this indicates the enormity of such crimes and the importance Islam placed on ensuring the security of lives and property.
Sad to say that the Nigerian society is on a fast lane of losing her human sentiment and the inherent moral obligation of being one’s brother’s keeper is becoming a thing of the past. Though the leadership has been making some efforts, which in reality are just not good enough.
Faster than the growth in technology and innovative lifestyle is the decline in morals and values and sense of security.
The citizens do not need a scholar to convince them that the end is nigh, the sad tale of human cruelty against human is enough to convince any man with a sane and balanced understanding that this is a generation plagued by injustice and successive leadership failure.
In recent times, the unfortunate and brutal inhumane act of kidnapping has generously resurfaced with the frequency ever on the increase. This time around with a more dastardly act of killing and shooting at sight.
What is more alarming is the occurrence of such in the North where it was unheard of before. Kaduna in particular has become the focus of this notorious act of kidnapping.
There is no doubt that the security agents are doing a good job in trying to curb this menace but there is barely enough as regards to intelligence gathering to avoid or at least minimize the occurrence of this social anathema.
This is evident in the fact that kidnapping on Abuja-Kaduna highway happens consistently and sometimes with an interval of just a day which somehow justifies the claim in some quarters that there is inefficiency and or complicity on the part of security agents.
The government should therefore facilitate a better synergy between the security agents.
Also, the communication between the agents patrolling streets, roads and highways should be as effective as possible because most of these kidnappers move freely to their destinations unhindered, which in a way encourages others to test their waters.
Security as it is widely echoed is the responsibility of everyone, that everyone needs to be extra vigilant of where they go to and when they go to such places.
That they avoid following paths less followed and at least avoid traveling at night (well, the insecurity does not respect the brightness of the sun).
Arguably, most of these things become a reality in a society where poverty becomes the garb worn by majority of the population coupled with gross corruption and impunity on the part of the corrupt.
The ‘get rich quick’ syndrome is driving even the most modest man that lives in the village as a shepherd to take to kidnapping on the high ways because to them it is the shortest way to attain riches.
The detachment from the known norms and cultural baggage and the desperation to keep up with other civilizations is partly responsible for this decadence.
Mutual boasting amongst people and the bid to out-rich one another may not be an isolated factor also. But be it as it may, as Muslims it is believed that there is no such menace without a remedy.
The collective safety of the society is a product of cordial and amicable social interaction.
The leadership of any society is charged with the sole responsibility of ensuring the safety of lives and property and if it fails to guarantee that, then it has an urgent need to go back to the drawing board and even question its own legitimacy.
Abuja-Kaduna highway is a major route that connects not only the FCT to other parts of the North but also other parts of the country to the North.
It is a shame that even lawmakers and elites of the society today prefer to follow the train from Abuja to Kaduna not because of anything but for the fear of the unknown on the highway. Simply put, nobody is safe and this realization is the scariest part of any insecure society.
The government must do all things possible to bridge the gap between the super rich and the highly impoverished. It should also penetrate these villages and provide basic amenities and educate her citizens.
Education is the only way out of darkness into the glorious light, while injustice and corruption are the most convenient catalyst that trigger insecurity in any society.
To fight insecurity, both short-time (immediate disarmament and arrest of bandits and kidnappers with effective intelligence gathering initiative) and long-time (provision of basic amenities, education, justice and equity) blue prints must be rolled out.
Amongst many remedies, I would encourage Muslim brothers and sisters to be very mindful of their morning and evening adhkar (supplication) as taught by the Prophet (peace be upon him).
Solicit for Allaah’s protection in the morning and evening through these words of the Prophet (peace be upon him):
“O Allaah, I ask You for security in my religion and my worldly affairs, in my family and my property; O Allaah, conceal my faults and keep me safe from the things which I fear; O Allaah, guard me from my front and from my right hand side and from my left side, and from above me;
; and I seek refuge in Your Greatness from receiving harm from below me.”
