The Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) has expressed concern over the upsurge in kidnapping across the country, which it observed, has unfortunately become a national menace that has negatively impacted on the social and economic life of the country. It also called on government and security agencies to step up action to stem the tide.

At the end of its fourth quarterly Standing Committee Meeting on Friday, December 2, 2016, in Yola, Adamawa State, the Guild, in a Communiqué signed by its President, Funke Egbemode, and General Secretary, Victoria Ibanga, also noted that the new dimension the vice has assumed was portraying the country negatively in the eye of the global community, with the potential of scaring foreign investors, at a time their contribution is crucial to revamping the country’s ailing economy.

The Guild observed that attracting foreign direct investment is a critical factor in reflating the nation’s sagging economy and pointed out that this will be gravely frustrated by the rising tide of kidnapping as no investor would stake his or her investment in an insecure environment.

While citing the abduction of the wife of the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Margaret Emefiele, former Minister, Bagudu Hirse, a senior official of the NNPC, Reverend Father John Adeyi, some students and teachers in Lagos State, a female journalist working in Benue State, Iyuadoo Tor-Agbidye, among other abductions that have taken place, the Guild noted that kidnapping has unfortunately become almost a daily occurrence.

“In the light of these occurrences, the Guild urges the Federal Government to, as a matter of urgency, rejig its security apparatus and develop a pro-active security strategy that will checkmate the menace. It is equally desirable for the government to urgently evolve anti-kidnapping measures and legislations, in order to combat the current wave of crimes and criminality in Nigeria,” the communiqué reads.

The Guild commended the initiatives of some state governments in setting up special squads with proven records of trailing, tracking and arresting kidnappers and, therefore, urged other states to take a cue from these success stories.

The Guild also recommended the strengthening of the justice system to engender speedy prosecution of kidnap suspects to serve as a deterrent to other criminally-minded persons.

In the same vein, the Guild urged security agencies to be alive to their responsibility of providing adequate security to the citizens by weeding out from among them the bad elements who have the propensity to aid and abet crime.

The Editors pointed out that “at this present time, it will serve the government well to do the needful in arresting the rising wave of crimes and criminality, so as to ease the current pressures on the citizens and put the nation back on the path of peace.”

They also appreciated the government and good people of Adamawa State for hosting the fourth quarterly meeting.

•Photo shows NGE President Funke Egbemode.

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