Kidnapping in Africa and control - Research Paper Example

 Kidnapping in Africa and control Today Africa is still experiencing problems such as kidnapping as it was some century ago, as a continent it consistently suffers and recovers from one problem to another. Kidnapping, for instance, is defined as the act of taking away an individual against their will. The act is always done for a ransom or in furtherance of specific crime, and it is becoming a nightmare to everyone across the African continent. It is now happening daily where stories and news revolve around individuals being abducted while going about their daily activities. This paper will therefore look at the analysis of how kidnapping can be stemmed in Africa Nigeria for instance. On 26 February 2006, there was a criminal act in Niger delta which attracted nation’s attention, militants were involved in kidnapping oil workers from foreign countries and their by demanding a ransom. Nigeria is one of the African countries with kidnapping cases, the police force is expected to provide protection to its citizens and foreign employs but this is not the case compared to what is happening in most of the African countries. Kidnapping however is continuously becoming a fully commercialized and ubiquitous issue not only in Nigeria but across Africa. On the other hand, the act is expanding, for instance, after the militants being kidnappers in Niger it led to the expansion of the act from the Niger Delta to other crannies and nooks across the country (Silence, 2009). It is indeed surprising to how governments in the African continent deal with kidnapping cases, since some states are hotspots of such acts. In addition, in Nigeria for example, the victims are no longer foreign oil workers but they have changed to Nigerians such as grand parents, parents, infants and relatives as well if a ransom can be coughed through blackmail. On the other hand, militants from the Niger Delta involved in this act are now dodgy individuals from other walks of life rather than militants for example, unemployed individuals, armed robbers and as a catholic priest. Nigeria is now one of the major kidnapping centers across the globe. As a result of this, it has implication to it investments levels and governance levels as well. On the other hand, in the Niger Delta, schoolchildren are also victims of kidnapping. Noting that Nigeria will soon have its elections, it is an indication that with the rise of criminal acts and insecurity there is a possibility that the elections will fail to be free and fare. In the recent years the state of Abia has had a plague of kidnapping, acts of hijacking and robbery. The only way that Nigerian government has been doing to ensure that such cases are curbed is by negotiating with the kidnappers to get back the victims and also the security forces have been involved in putting up new strategies to conquer the pervasive issue of kidnapping. In addition, the police forces are being trained to enhance their knowledge and skills to decisively deal with the kidnappers across Nigeria (Omonijo, 2011).The governments have a tendency of blaming the pervasive kidnapping wave away from the Niger Delta as a result of the increasing rates of unemployment across the country. The African continent is challenge with kidnapping cases since the police force is ineffective and corrupt. Furthermore, the police forces are inadequately equipped to stem such crimes, and the relationship that exists between the kidnappers and politicians as well. These elements however seem to be mere signs of a wide malaise, for instance, pervasive kidnapping is a major symptoms failed and failing country. This feature is common in countries which is failing or had failed like Columbia since 19770s to 200. The depth of kidnapping can help a country to know it direction. Kidnapping being a government priority to countries that have had the invasion of the can aid in teaming it. Governments partnering with local authorities will aid in reducing the pervasive act within its citizens. On the other hand, citizens of the nation working with the police force to fight the act will not only stem the act but will create a warm relationship between the citizen and the police force with the help of the government. Kidnapping of individuals does not only involve the foreigners but also the citizens of a specific nation, hence governments which focus on kidnapping as an issue involving the foreigners they are mistaken since they are leaving out its own citizens (Look, 2010). Death penalty will be the punishment which will be given to kidnappers in Nigeria (Look, 2010). Government support is the key to lock such acts. However, most governments sent the police force to fight such acts but the resources and skills the force has is not enough for them to conquer trained kidnappers. The acts of increased criminality are as a result of corruption and unemployment. Looking at the act, it is rooted due to frustrations and it begun to draw not only the nation to such communities but also the international communities. Youths who are unemployed use this to earn a living and these would not be the case if the governments employed the young in the society. These acts are as a result of the conflict and tension that exists between the haves and have not in the society (Van, Melber & Mehler, 2009). It can be acceptable for an individual to say that the continent of Africa is demonstrating laboratory, a continent that is build and demolished. Africa has no permanent and consistent rates of development that has led to issues of kidnapping being a challenging problem. Unemployment is the key factor that has made it tough for the gap that exists between the richest and the poor. It is surprising because as a continent it has rich resources that can be utilized but yet it has the poorest and most miserable citizens across the globe. Indeed, the lifestyle in Africa is viewed as a mixed bag which is loose due to gap difference. This is one of the pointers to why the filthy rich individuals continuously face acts of kidnapping and they are the managers yet the rate at which the population of the poor is growing is higher thus causing continuous threat across the board (Silence, 2009). On the other hand, African states can be termed as ‘failures’ since they are incapable of fulfilling their basic functions as a government which is sovereign. The role of the government is to physically control its territories, provide its citizens with security of property and life, the ability to use its physical legitimate force and the provision of public service as well as interaction with other states with an aim of strengthening international community. If a state in Africa is not a failure then it might be a ‘failing State,’ a country in Africa being in this state indicates a transition to a failure state. In this situation the state is nominally a sovereign and modicum of its roles are fulfilled as a government which is sovereign, but the central government is weak and has less practical control towards it a territory which leads to pervasive insecurity like kidnapping. The African continent has failing state and it can be predicted by the government’s inability to promote and offer public services which are basic with rooted corruption which is where individuals are egocentric. These are reasons to why most developing countries encounter ethnic and civil war (Silence, 2009). A part from the governments addressing causes which are remote like economic crisis, high unemployment among youths, crass materialism as well as the weak faith due to in depth corrupt leaders and the systems in Africa continent as a whole. For a government to tackle crimes such as kidnapping the police force require tools and modern gadgets. For instance, moving with the technological world equipments is necessary for tracking the kidnapper’s location through their mobile phone calls (Hilyard, 2008). If a government does not sacrifice to work with such tools then criminals will have their field days as usually with no restriction. In spite of most countries including Kenya and Nigeria in the African continent the have taken the basic step to register SIM cards through the National Communications Commission, NCC, not much has been done to ensure that the implementation serves its purpose. It is complicating since kidnapping is now a business in Africa as it is seen in the amount of money the kidnappers demand. Governments should make a step in confronting kidnappers since it is shocking to how the ransoms are set to their victims (Daily Independent, 2010) Nigeria as a country is not a failed sate but it can be a failing state. These therefore means that when the government of Nigeria addresses issues of inefficient, unemployment and corruption the police force can be in a good position in combating kidnapping. Most of the African continents nations should focus on addressing the nature of their state including answering questions like why they transited from a state which is weak to a state which is failing and heading towards a failed state. It is relevant for countries in Africa to restructure their state to a true federation or democratic states. Problems in Africa are as a result of poor government and systems of democracy. The systems are mainly of master type leadership rather than servant leadership. Westernization is also a prong to the continent; the continent is still being controlled by the western republic as in the past centuries. The movers from the western countries are in the government as well as taking part in the establishment of corporate bodies and economic development strategies, as they get involved in corruption issues. As a result of this it has led to countries in the west from failing to curb the increasing unemployment that is continuously stirring kidnapping cases across the continent (Daily Independent, 2010). To curb such issues on kidnapping parents should talk to children about security issues, safety measure that a family has identified and developed. A child understanding of what is happening around their environment is necessary to them, letting them to understand on how they can react to such issues will reduce the rate at which children can be victims of kidnapping. Children on the other hand should be taught not to trust people and should avoid speaking to strangers as well as they should be taught on how they should not be on their own or isolated with individuals of greater age (Evans & Sole, 2011). Parents should also take time and introduce their children to their closest people friends, families, coaches, teachers and church leaders. In addition, when the phone rings, the child and the family should know who was calling before making any official identification. A child knowing what is going around their environment while working is also another important concept that a child should have. Noting if a person is following them or approaching them and if the notice anything that is suspicious they should move to a public and safe place and if they have if they do not see any secure places they should draw the attention (Halon, 1986). In addition, families can take particular actions to minimize the risk of being kidnapped. Families should be aware that most kidnappers who demand ransom always take place in the morning on weekdays between the victim’s home and the child s school or office. The kidnappers plan and target an individual routine and predict to their advantage. As a government and the society working together the three security measures for individuals to observe to avoid being victims include, being alert, reacting and having varied routines. It is important to vary transportation mode, times, location and patterns. While being alert is all about understanding the environment by noticing the unusual things and reacting is the act of responding to a specific action. Furthermore taking an initiative of identifying safe places along the commonly used route is will help in minimizing kidnapping cases. Individuals who work in high risk foreign countries should learn to close their car windows while driving especially at night. Wealthy people should avoid sharing their personal incomes and investment to people unless it is necessary (Affor & Viviame, 2008). In all this a countries in Africa should therefore have good leadership to be in a position to compact matters such as kidnapping. References: Affor, Chris, & Saleh-Hanna, Viviame (2008). Colonial systems of control: criminal justice in Nigeria. University of Ottawa Press Anne Look (2010). Nigeria Kidnappings and Lawlessness Increasing. Retrieved on 16 April, 2011 from http://www.voanews.com/english/news/africa/west/Nigeria-Kidnappings-and- Lawlessness-Increasing-104025884.htmL Daily Independent (2010). On the Kidnapping Monster. Lagos Nigeria. www.independentngonline.com/ Evans, Sally & Sole, Sam, (2011). Krejcir accesses deportation report. Retrieved on 16 April, 2011 from, http://mg.co.za/article/2011-04-15-krejcir-accesses-deportation-report/ Halon, Joseph. (1986). Beggar your neighbors: apartheid power in Southern Africa. James Currey Publishers Hilyard, Joseph. (2008). International Petroleum Encyclopedia. PennWell Books Omonijo, Bolade. (2011). Good luck can’t be wished away. http://www.thenationonlineng.net/2011/index.php/politics/3077-good-luck- can%E2%80%99t-be-wished-away.html Silence, Chihuri, (2009). The problem with Africa. Retrieved on 16 April, 2010 http://www.newzimbabwe.com/pages/opinion94.13175.html Van, Klaas, Melber, Henning & Mehler, Adreas (2009). Africa Yearbook 5: Politics, Economy and Society South of the Sahara. 2008.BRILL, 2009. Read More