In response to growing concerns over the inability to track kidnappers despite the availability of advanced technology, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has stated that it is not their fault that kidnappers continue to evade capture, even with the presence of communication satellites, SIM card registrations, and the National Identification Number (NIN) system.
This statement comes amid public outrage and criticism from various quarters, including the Senate President of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Henry Okunomo.
Okunomo has expressed deep frustration over the security agencies’ inability to swiftly track down kidnappers who often make contact with their victims’ families, even in cases where these interactions are captured on video or other devices.
During a recent television appearance, Okunomo voiced his concerns regarding the abduction of several of his colleagues.
He questioned why, in an age of significant technological advancement, Nigerian authorities have not been able to leverage these tools to apprehend kidnappers more effectively.
“I am not satisfied with the way security agencies are going about the matter. The government cannot tell me there is no other way this kidnapping thing can be nipped in the bud. After all, there are several measures already in place; why are they not working?” Okunomo stated.
The measures he referred to include the SIM card registration conducted by the NCC in 2011, the NIN enrollment initiated by the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) in 2015, the NIN-SIM registration exercise carried out by the Federal Government in 2020, and the NigComSat-1R Communications Satellite, which has been in orbit since 2012.
Despite these technological tools and measures, the inability to track kidnappers remains a significant issue, leading to growing frustration among citizens and calls for more effective use of available technology to combat the ongoing menace of kidnapping in the country.
