2019: MY VOTE IS…2
by
Bala Muhammad
In continuation
of our Series on MY VOTE IS… as we head towards the 2019 Elections (which
is also available at https://saturdaycolumn.blogspot.com/),
today we discuss the tragedy of Kidnapping and Banditry that have befallen us
as a result of the lackadaisical attitude of our governments in the matter of
security. Other sundry issues also feature – readers can still send in their
100-word contributions for inclusion in subsequent weeks:
KIDNAPPING
COLUMNIST
– MY VOTE IS…Against Kidnapping: Zamfara and Katsina States sadly joined Abuja-Kaduna
Expressway and Kaduna-Birnin Gwari Road as centres of kidnapping and banditry. Calls
for State of Emergency in Zamfara, and significantly from its own Governor
(who, incidentally, has only a few months of immunity remaining), have fallen
on no ears. Now that a new police boss has been named, we hope things will
change. We remember those six ‘glorious’ weeks when, at the closure of Abuja
Airport, thousands of security personnel were deployed on Abuja-Kaduna road. Not
a single report of kidnapping or armed robbery. But alas! The cordon was only
meant for the elite and, as soon as the airport reopened, the security men
left, and left us at the mercy – and wickedness – of kidnappers. In the tragic incidences of kidnapping, victims and relatives are left
to their own devices; no support whatsoever from government. No counselling. No
assistance or loan to pay ransom. Many a victim family who first rushed to security
agencies for help ended up regretting it; in one instance, the kidnappers were
said to have told the family that they were aware that they had spoken to such
security outfit at such a time. That is why many of us think some security
personnel are in cahoots with the criminals. The new IGP should, as a matter of
urgency, do these three things – Watchtower; Mobility; Transfer. The Watchtower
is a simple technology which has been deployed in insecurity situations. Manned
watchtowers should be built along the corridors of kidnapping and banditry all
over the country. Corporate entities will rush as their Corporate Social
Responsibility. The watchtowers should be manned 24/7 and well lighted at
night, with binoculars and walkie-talkies with complement of ‘ground forces’ to
strike or prevent. On Mobility, the patrols on our roads should not be stationary.
Sometimes they claim ‘there is no fuel’ according to the many informants. Patrols
must be mobile for them to deserve the term ‘patrols.’ With watchtowers in
place to complement their work, mobile patrols can be very effective. Unless,
as suspected by many, the security agencies ‘sell’ parts of the roads to
criminals. On Transfer, many people suggest there should be massive transfers
of all security officers, rank and file manning many of the notorious roads.
Hussaina
Gummi, Near East University, Cyprus (husnagoomy90@gmail.com):
“My vote is for anyone who is sensitive to the genocide going on in Zamfara State.
We have been relegated to the background as if we are not citizens of this
country. Our present woes start and end with insecurity. Our people are not
enjoying any dividends of democracy. Our governor appears insensitive, clueless
or helpless. The lives of Zamfara citizens are endangered. They deserve to be secured.
My vote is for security of life in Zamfara.”
Abbati Gumel, Kano (adggumel@gmail.com):
“My vote is against bribery and corruption, and for
honest and transparent candidates. My vote is seriously against the ‘Cabal’,
but for a dedicated ‘Team’ that would move this country forward. My vote is
against ‘Nepotism’ and sectional interest, but for the Unity and Progress of
the country. I hope this series will ginger political aspirants add to their ‘Watch
List’ of tasks to do when given the mandate.”
Jamilah Shehu (Ummu Raudah), D/Kudu,
Kano (finetime@live.com): “My vote
is for representatives that will enact laws to help in the development of the North
through provision of critical infrastructure. My vote is for any legislative
aspirant that would have the courage to move for the impeachment of deviant
executives who fail to do the right thing. My vote is for the completion of
Kano Western Bypass and Kano-Maiduguri Roads and, like the Columnist, the start
of the Kano end of the Kano-Lagos rail modernisation. If not, they lose my vote.”
Yusuf Muhammad Anas (yusfah2010@gmail.com): “My vote
is for the leader who will allot money for the commencement of Kano-Kaduna end
of the modern rail and ensure the speedy completion of the project. I’m also
thinking of that candidate whom they call ‘nepotistic’ and they accuse of ‘marginalising’
other geopolitical zones when in actual fact he has assigned all the ‘juiciest’
ministries to his accusers. I don’t care who takes what in allocation of
offices – let the big names go to them BUT let the critical infrastructure come
to us in the North!”
"TAKE ME TO MARADI..."
Alhaji Musa Muhammad Hadejia (alhajimusamuhd103@gmail.com):
“My Vote is for the leader that would rehabilitate the old rail line that runs
Kano-Zakirai-Gagarawa-Kaugama-Malammadori-Birniwa and terminates in Nguru,
before thinking of a wishful Kano-Kazaure-Daura-Katsina-Jibia-Maradi line. We
are also citizens of this country, and our old rail line was famous for the groundnut
pyramids and the hides and skins business. My vote is also for the leader who
will continue to revive agriculture in the country, and especially in my State of
Jigawa.”
Dahiru Nafiu (ibraheemtanko@gmail.com)
“My Vote is for a person with the highest integrity, who is respected, tested
and trusted. My vote is for an incorruptible person who will provide
infrastructural development in our area.”
COLUMNIST
– MY VOTE IS…For A Real Reform Of Our Criminal Justice System: Related to the
criminality of kidnapping discussed earlier, our criminal justice system is so
porous criminals don’t fear it any more. The police are notoriously corrupt,
the lawyers are worse, but the judges are the worst. In this situation, there
is no way justice can stand. We want a leader who will copy from China the
Remedy of Corruption: one looter, one
bullet. In China, if you steal a certain amount and you are caught, you are
tried, convicted, and shot. Your assets are forfeited to government, and heirs
would not inherit the loot and will have pay for the government bullet used. Let
Five Million Naira ‘misappropriation’ be the threshold in Nigeria, and amputation
of the hands of those who still below the threshold. The law of Edo State on kidnapping,
capital punishment, should be applied nationally whether the victim survives
the kidnapping or not, and whatever the number of kidnappers. There should also
be special tribunals for this despicable crime, with appeal only to the Supreme
Court, lest the Western-backed-and-paid human rights lobby delays justice for
victims. Armed Robbery should be as Kidnapping. And Drugs Trafficking. Capital
Punishment. On Rape, there is a national phenomenal rise especially of minors,
many of whom are also killed as collateral wickedness. Death penalty should
continue to be applied for willful taking of life in any event, and especially
in the case of rape and murder, whatever the number of rapists. In the event of
the survival of the victim, rapist must be made to forfeit the tool used in
committing the crime. In plain language, rapists must be neutered, castrated, eunuch’ed.
