‘Why NIN has not been effective in stemming kidnapping’ 

A PAN-AFRICAN organisation, the Paradigm Initiative (PIN), has given reasons why the National Identification Number (NIN) has not stemmed the wave of abductions and other social vices in Nigeria.

The body, a thought leader in the digital rights and inclusion space, recalled that the Federal Government had promised the initiative would end kidnapping in the country.

Speaking in Lagos, yesterday at an End of Year media briefing to inform the public about its activities in Nigeria and other parts of Africa, the Executive Director of PIN, Gbenga Sesan, explained that the enrolment never showed that the government wanted to use it to tackle criminal activities, stating that the manner of implementation was driven by another thing entirely, largely by loan and contracts.

Sesan said Nigeria’s data gathering has always been problematic.

He added: “When the National Identification Number, under President Obasanjo, was handled by Sagem of France, it ended in chaos, and I am sure that many of you know that Sagem still has those data and has refused to give it to Nigeria. So, basically, if you register during Obasanjo’s time, your data are still with Sagem in France. Maybe President Tinubu will bring them back from his visit.”

According to him, the reason Nigeria got a Data Protection Act was because the World Bank made it a condition for the $480 million loan.

He said the majority of the country’s data projects have been driven by loans and contracts, and because of that, the process is not taken seriously, as the authorities just lord it on the people.

Meanwhile, four out of the nine persons kidnapped on Tuesday in Odo-Ape Community in Kabba/Bunu Local Council of Kogi State have escaped from their captors.

A community leader, who craved anonymity, confirmed the situation.

The development comes barely a week after three persons, including an eight-year-old boy, were abducted from the same community

Among those abducted freshly include the newly elected councillor representing Odo-Ape ward in the Kabba-Bunu Legislative Council, Alaba Ope.

Both the lawmaker and the other eight were picked from their respective homes.
A source in the community confirmed that the gunmen struck at about 1:00 am yesterday, shooting sporadically before picking their victims.

Contacted, Kogi Police Public Relations Officer, SP William Anya, did not take his calls nor respond to messages sent to his phone on the fresh incident at press time.

A top government security personnel, however, confirmed the story.
He said the state security apparatus had swung into action and would make their position known in a short time.

Similarly, the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 1 Division of the Nigerian Army, Mayirenso Saraso, has said following the application of non-kinetic measures, over 150 kidnapped victims have been unconditionally rescued from captivity since November 1.

He made the revelation when the Chairman of Kachia Local Council of Kaduna State, Manzo Maigari, paid a courtesy visit to the division’s headquarters in Kaduna.
The GOC congratulated the chairman for his successful election and subsequent assumption of office.

He described Kachia as a long-standing hub for military operations in the state, alongside other key areas like Jaji and Zaria.
Saraso stressed the need for a more robust collaboration between security agencies and the political class.

He explained the division’s role in internal security operations, in collaboration with other security agencies in the states.

On the raging security challenges such as banditry and kidnapping in Kachia, the GOC said that significant progress had been recorded in countering the threats.

He underscored the Army’s relentless efforts towards the restoration of peace and security in Kaduna State.