Kidnapping: Take Responsibility of your Security – Seadogs urges Anambra Residents

By Praise Chinecherem

National Association of Seadogs (NAS) has expressed worry over prevalent cases of kidnapping in Anambra state.

President, Onitsha Chapter, Engr Benjamin Agbala stated this at the annual Feast of Barracuda lecture series with the theme, “Kidnaping for Ransom by enhancing personal security.”

He identified ostentatious lifestyle, divulging personal information and other factors as responding for fueling abduction cases.

According to Agbala, personal security remained critical to reducing abduction cases, advising residents to take responsibility for their safety and security.

He acknowledged efforts of present administration in nipping the menace in the bud, but noted the complimentary role of his group, especially in public enlightenment on the need for personal security.

He said, “We chose the theme, “Kidnapping for ransom” because of rising cases of the menace in the state.

“In fact, it has increased in geometric progression. Between last four years till date, lots of people have been killed, maimed and traumatized to these hoodlums’ activities.

“Two years ago, we lost a member to these criminals. Last year, we also lost another brother on his way to Abuja. He was shot by kidnappers.

“A lot of other innocent citizens have been killed by kidnappers. That’s the reason we chose the theme to raise personal awareness.

“Although Gov Chukwuma Soludo administration has reduced kidnaping to a very low level, but we can’t relax but to raise people’s consciousness on the need for their personal security.

“We observe many attract problems to themselves, unknowingly. What we say publicly, how we conduct ourselves to a large extent is additional security to ourselves.

“We should avoid divulging information about ourselves publicly. Telling people about your movement is highly risky because you don’t know who you’re revealing the information to.

“Kidnappers are always on the watch, observing people’s lifestyle. You can become a prime target by your utterances and lifestyle.

“Again, citizens are reluctant in giving vital information to security operatives. Imagine a jobless man coming back with a brand new car and neighbors don’t question the source and reporting him to police.

“Situation in the country is such that nobody can be trusted again. People should be conscious of their personal security.

“The meeting is targeted at sensitizing people on the importance of personal security which is a tip for preparedness of oneself to his own security. It’s like your own bullet proof against attack.

“Every year, we identify a peculiar challenge rocking the society and call for a town hall meeting where persons with intellectual ideas are invited to proffer solutions on how to solve the problem and issue communique thereafter.”

Delivering his paper titled, the guest speaker, Prof Robert Ogenedore Dode described personal security awareness as vital, but yet underutilized dimension of risk reduction.

He argued that effective personal security awareness required nuanced implementation that acknowledged Nigeria’s diverse security landscapes, socioeconomic realities, and cultural contexts.

“This paper demonstrates that while Nigeria’s kidnapping crisis demands comprehensive institutional responses, enhanced personal security awareness represents a vital yet underutilized dimension of risk reduction.

“The evidence suggests that informed individual security practices can significantly complicate targeting, increase operational costs for perpetrators, and potentially redirect criminal attention toward less security-conscious targets.

“However, effective personal security awareness cannot be approached through generalized, decontextualized recommendations.

“Instead, it requires nuanced implementation that acknowledges Nigeria’s diverse security landscapes, socioeconomic realities, and cultural contexts.”

Other resource persons present at the event were Barrister chief Ugochukwu Ugwunnadi, Akunne igweju of Obosi, Chief Samuel Okagbue, among other dignitaries.