Vanguard Editorial of January 28, 2025
On January 16, 2025, Mrs. Folashade Odumosu, the wife of retired Assistant Inspector-General, AIG, of Police, Hakeem Odumosu, was kidnapped outside her Ogun State residence by four armed men. The incident generated public uproar and demands for urgent action.
The police responded swiftly. The Ogun State Police Command, led by Commissioner, Lanre Ogunlowo, took tactical action and the abducted woman was rescued days later. According to reports, the Police did a good job. Taking considerable risks to trace and neutralise the kidnappers and returning the victim home unharmed. It was a reflection of coordination, ability and performance at a crucial time.
But there are questions. If the Police can be so swift in this aspect, then why is that speed not accorded to every other citizen in similar situation?
It begs the question of what was different in this particular situation. Was it because of the high profile of the victim? In Nigeria, kidnapping is now widespread, with criminal groups targeting not just high-profile personalities but also ordinary citizens.
The rapid and joint rescuing of Mrs. Odumosu, however is markedly distinct from the frustrations many Nigerians face when they feel like they are being ignored in similar emergencies.
The undeniable truth is that timely responses often come down to who the victim knows and the influence wielded. The high-profile nature of the AIG wife’s abduction raises speculation that the victim’s law enforcement connections prompted the rapid response. It’s hard not to ponder what the standard is because such prompt responses are not the norm for the families of other kidnapped victims. This variance poses a host of moral dilemmas. Public skepticism regarding Nigeria’s security efforts is growing partly because of such inconsistent applications of police resources. Such successful operations deserve praise, no doubt, nevertheless, emphasis should be on addressing the roots of kidnapping. Conditions like unemployment, bad governance and illiteracy have given rise to an enabling atmosphere for criminal activities.
Kidnapping does not target only the affluent class anymore, therefore, policing must go beyond mere reactions and warnings. Intelligence-driven investigations should disrupt criminal networks before incidents occur. Police operations in the past have led to neutralisation of kidnappers, thus demonstrating capacity. The rescue of the retired AIG’s wife is evidence of the capability of the Nigeria Police; but it also heralds the gaps in response efforts.
For the long term, strengthening the tracking system, securing rural areas, and making operations transparent are paramount. Police rescue protocols should, therefore, consider fairness and transparency. Public trust in police is broken if one perceives safety depending on connections and reputation. Apart from being fair, the police should also be held liable for failure in their responsibilities. Systematic reporting and independent oversight are essential, and there is a need for justice, not assurances, to be given to the citizens. Tools such as an AI database regarding abduction incidents and the modus operandi of known kidnapping gangs would help facilitate quick response.
Every citizen, regardless of status, deserves to be protected by law and should be treated equally and timely. This incident calls for urgent reform in handling emergencies by the police. It is an achievement worthy of acknowledgment, however much more remains to be done by those entrusted with the safety of every Nigerian citizen. A truly secure society ensures that no one feels neglected when they need help. If these gaps are filled, only then can the police uphold their mandate to protect all citizens equitably and promptly.
