Abuja, Kastina rank high in kidnapping cases

The Federal Capital Territory, Abuja and Kastina, the home-state of President Muhammadu Buhari top the list of states that recorded more kidnapping cases between January and July ,2020, Daily Trust findings have revealed.

The tally, based on Newspapers’ reports within the period under review also show that the sum of N96.4 million was paid to the kidnappers to secure the victims’ release.

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While 22 people were kidnapped in Abuja; Kastina and Kaduna recorded 19 cases each while Niger recorded 18 cases.

A further breakdown of the reported cases by months shows that January recorded the highest number of cases totalling 248 followed by July during which 130 cases were recorded while March recorded 121 cases.

Similarly, there were 114 reported cases in February, 109 cases in June while April and May recorded 45 and 41 cases respectively.

In all, Eight hundred and eight Nigerians were kidnapped in different parts of the country between January and July 2020.

Although the Nigeria Police arrested and paraded hundreds of suspected kidnappers in different commands within the period under review, they failed to provide details of those so far convicted.

While kidnapping is not contained in the exclusive list of the Nigerian Constitution, some states assembly have enacted death penalty for the offence.