AKWA IBOM UNDER SIEGE

Dr. Julius Kpaduwa is a successful Obstetrician & Gynecologist (OBGYN) whose operational base is Los Angeles , California . His wife is also a successful OBGYN. In 2003, like Engr. Iniekong Udonwa, Dr. Kpaduwa decided to become a gubernatorial candidate in Imo State under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Before now, Dr. Kpaduwa was associated with those who relentlessly campaigned against the military dictatorships in Nigeria . I ran into him during the protest he organized in Los Angeles area against IBB’s June 12 imbroglio, just he also led series of protests against Shell Oil Company in their role in the execution of Ken Saro-Wiwa in Nov. 1995.

On July 11, 2003, Dr. Kpaduwa narrowly escaped death when armed bandits traced him to his country home in Mbaino in Imo state and shot him several times and abandoned him presumably as dead. Narrating his ordeal at the hands of his assailants, Kpaduwa said "I arrived the country from the USA on July 4, 2003 after attending to some official engagements regarding my free medical schemes in my area, I proceeded home on July 11, 2003. While there, I decided to stay the night even though some members of my team advised against the idea because of safety, I insisted on staying the night. At about 3 am, we were aroused by a large bang when the bandits broke into the house and held my 70-year old mother hostage. Others were busy searching for me, when they saw me, they threatened to kill me to end my ambition".

Dr. Kpaduwa reported that they shot him on the left fibula shattering his bones and abandoned him thinking he was death. He said he was later rescued by the villagers who took him to Owerri, then Lagos , from where he was flown back to United States for medical attention. A year later, on Sunday July 4, 2004, a well attended Thanksgiving Service was organized for him in Los Angeles .

Like most other members of our forum, I recall receiving membership request from Ini Ekong Udonwa.in September 2009 during which time his ambition to run for the highest office in Akwa Ibom State was revealed first in our forum. In his first posting Mr. Udonwa informed us that he was born on 20 October 1968 into the family of Knight & Knightess Nicholas & Philomena Udonwa of Ikot Esen Oku, Etinan Local Government Area and is happily married to Kama Udonwa and both are blessed with three (3) lively, loudly and lovely children, 2 boys and a girl.

Udonwa added that he is a First Class Marine Engineer currently working as the Executive Director of INKUS Offshore Marine Pte Ltd and the Senior Technical Superintendent in a ship management conglomerate in Singapore . And that he was pursuing Masters degree in Maritime Studies at Nanyang Technological University , Singapore . He added that he worked in senior management positions with various MNCs in Singapore, such as Keppel FELS, Keppel Singmarine and Swire Pacific Offshore; and was presently serving as President of the Nigerian Business Association (Singapore).

In what played out like the attack on Dr. Kpaduwa in 2003, on Thursday, May 13, 2010 we were informed of the attack of Engr. Ini Ekong Udonwa and the kidnapping of his 70-year old mother. Apparently, kidnapping has now become a lucrative business. Back in those days, especially in South western Nigeria , kidnapping was associated trafficking in human parts which were used for money-making rituals or acquire spiritual power.

But the modern day kidnapping in Nigeria has its root in the Niger Delta where it started with agitation for justice and fairness. When in 1990 MOSOP led by Ken Saro_Wiwa presented a set of demands to the then Nigerian strong man, IBB, instead of addressing those concerns, IBB sent Ken Saro-Wiwa on a wild goose chase around the world. Primary reason he chose to finally ignore Ogoni demand was to discourage other Niger Delta groups from toeing the same line. By November 1995, another strong man, Gen. Abacha opted to simply annihilate MOSOP with the hope of stamping out agitations in the Niger Delta once and for all.

How wrong were they! By 2003, with increased agitation in the Niger Delta, militant groups in the area (MEND and others) began to kidnap foreign oil workers in order to press home their points about a re-negotiation of Nigeria and the Niger Delta stake in it. Gradually, this degenerated into large-scale criminal activities involving hostage taking and ransom-collection. What was adopted initially as a tool of ideological struggle has since been transformed into a major source of livelihood. As the saying goes, never you sow the wind for you’ll surely reap the whirlwind. It’s a Cosmic Law!

It is understatement to say that today Nigerians are no longer safe in their own homes. Efforts by patriotic Nigerians abroad to woo investors are constantly being thwarted by gruesome tales of kidnappings now occurring at alarming rates. Simply put, no investors would want to risk his life as Nigeria has become a high risk investment destination. Akwa Ibom is now prominently featured in this losing game.
The truth is that Nigeria will never be able to adjudicate itself out of this mess. Recall that Akwa Ibom House of Assembly passed a law criminalizing kidnapping. Barely a week or two after the passage of that bill, the Speaker’s 80 year-old father was abducted. What else could be more disgraceful! Interestingly, we understand the state and local governments continually negotiate with the kidnappers thereby encouraging other hoodlums.

The state of insecurity in our once peaceful state has now assumed a frightening dimension. To the Nigerian Police and other security agencies, I can boldly say that their best efforts are no more good enough. They have lost the capacity to manage the menace owed to incompetence and culture of impunity foisted on the nation by corrupt and irresponsible political managers. A greater number of people, mostly unemployed have turned to ruthless, desperate criminals who adorn themselves with sophisticated weaponry.

RECOMMENDATIONS:

1) Establish Civil-Security Agents:
The ultimate area of intervention must begin with good governance. As I suggested a couple of weeks ago, government must embark on massive job creation. Government must employ all the unemployed graduates, some who had graduated over ten years now and have no jobs. They should all be put on salaries and designated as Civil Security Agents. Their primary role would be to give information to the main security operatives as well as helping to catch the hoodlums.

2) Community Watch:
Every building/compound in Akwa Ibom should have at least two designated security agents. They will all serve in what will be termed “Neighborhood or Community Watch” and will be linked to one another with good communication equipments. They will also collaborate with other security agents.

3) Install Sirens:
Powerful sirens, similar to those used during tsunami or tornadoes, be located around major cities. These sirens will be activated as soon as kidnapping or robbery incidents have occurred or are in progress. It was reported recently how robbers operated in a bank at Uyo for nearly two hours and no security agent was in sight! A siren would have foiled such operation.

4) Officers to Reside Among Residents:
Law enforcement officers should no more be concentrated in barracks rather they should live among the residents where they can respond quickly to any adverse situation. Emergency phone numbers should be run on the television and constantly announced over the radio for citizen’s contact.

5) Deployment of Surveillance Cameras:
Surveillance cameras must be deployed in many strategic locations all over town like Uyo. This can be handled by private security agencies in collaboration with law enforcement agencies.

With what has just befallen Iniekong Udonwa, Akwa Ibom people at home and abroad have all but lost confidence in our governments and the security agencies. Above recommendations are confident builders. Our government owes these to the citizens. We must not wait till the emboldened kidnappers start to operate in Armored trucks or helicopters before decisive actions are taken. Akwa ikang oyom akwa ofob. Time for action is now.