Kidnapping: Today Seven Years Ago - 4 Journalists Were Rescued

[On the 11th of July, 2010, Nigerians were awaken to the news of four journalists and their driver that were kidnapped somewhere in Abia State. The journalists were then, high profile Nigerian citizens to be kidnapped. There was tension in the country. The Police high Command led by the then Inspector General of Police, IGP Ogbonna Onovo (Rtd.), relocated to Abia State to rescue the victims. Seven years ago, the Nigeria Police was at the fight alone as the then President, GoodLuck Jonathan, did not see any wisdom in asking other sister agencies to support the fight as it is done today.

Seven years on, kidnapping have dominated the criminal arena in Nigeria, spreading like a harmathan fire to every corner of this country. As we reflect on this criminal epidermic, we must not loose track of Six students of Igbonla Model college in Epe, Lagos State, that were kidnapped on the 25th of May 2017. There are numerous others that are in various kidnapper's dens across the nation.

The Nigeria Police are up to the task but need government's support for more hands to finally wrestle down the monster known as "kidnapping". The recent arrest of the most prominent kidnapper of all times, Chukwudi Onuamadike aka Evans is a testament to the capabilities of the Nigeria Police. However, adequate manpower and equipments to the Police will contain the epidermic.

Below is a copy of IGP Ogbonna Onovo's address to the press on the rescue of the journalists on 18th July 2010.