’Yan Daukar Amarya
p. 20-23
Texte intégral
1The ’Yan Daukar Amarya are a group of gangsters, like the ’Yan Daba and ’Yan Banga; they have, however, distinguished themselves from the others in that their operations are far more sinister. The ’Yan Daukar Amarya, who operate mainly in Kano, specialize in kidnapping girls and unmarried women21 and operate mainly in Kano. The citizens of Kano regard the activities of the ’Yan Daukar Amarya as more depraved than those of the ’Yan Daba and ’Yan Banga. Any attractive woman, married or single, who is unfortunate enough to be at the scene of a kidnap operation, could also become a victim.
Profile and Origins of members
2The majority of the ’Yan Daukar Amarya are young men. Their average age range is from 25 years to 30; although men over 45 years are found among them. Generally, the members of ’Yan Daukar Amarya are either bachelors or divorced men.
3The ’Yan Daukar Amarya basically come from two different backgrounds: those who are totally beyond the control of their parents or guardians and no longer reside at home, and those who still live with their parents. Those who are still under the influence of their parents, however little, go out frequently with their friends. At home they exhibit a deceptively quiet life style. The ’Yan Daukar Amarya enjoy the "good-life" and spend a lot of time in places like cinema halls, bars and hotels.
4A significant number of the ’Yan Daukar Amarya come from relatively well-to-do families, where parental discipline is rather lax. Such permissive environments often breed deviant and unethical behaviour. Bad habits, which are not corrected at an early age, can lead to delinquency at school and at home. As they mature, their appetite for excitement increases, leading to anti-social behaviour and even criminal activity.
5Coming from fairly prosperous homes, these young men often have enough pocket-money for indecent self-indulgence. Some of the members are also gainfully employed. The motivation to join ’Yan Daukar Amarya is not to steal, as most of the members are relatively well-off, but to join in socially deviant behaviour. This is especially so in a predominantly Muslim area, where women are kept in purdah.
Targets
6The main targets of the ’Yan Daukar Amarya are beautiful ladies and girls who have prematurely developed the physique of an adult woman. Calling themselves Daukar Amarya was a ploy to fool the public, who may witness a real kidnapping and not realize it.
Mode of Operation
7The style of operation of the ’Yan Daukar Amarya is similar to the traditional custom in which a newly married bride (amarya) is escorted to her husband’s house after the wedding ceremony. The friends and relations of the amarya escort her in a convoy of buses, singing, clapping and beating the Kalangu (Hausa talking drum).
8The ’Yan Daukar Amarya move in a convoy of two or three buses when on a kidnapping operation. A study of the possibilities for a successful operation is normally carried out before such an operation is embarked upon. Though the gangs may not move in a large convoy at all times, there are usually about 7 to 10 men in a bus.
9Caution is the key to success among the ’Yan Daukar Amarya. Given an experienced driver and enough petrol, a typical operation begins with the gang scouting around the streets for women and girls moving about on their own. The presence of the police or a suspicious public is enough to foil an operation. If this is the case, they move to another ward.
10The desperation to catch a bus in the burning Kano sun, coupled with an inadequate number of commuter buses are two major factors that may lead to even careful young women falling victim to this gang. For a lady standing at a bus stop, no violence is required to get her into the bus. She is ushered into the bus and off the bus moves. On the other hand, violence may be involved if a lady is walking by the roadside. Here, they use any ploy to engage the woman in conversation, sometimes pretending to be strangers trying to trace a house or street in the area. Once engaged in a dialogue, the door of the bus opens and the men rush at her and push her in. This takes only a few seconds.
11The victim once forced into the bus is easily overpowered. Knowing well that the woman will scream and struggle for freedom, the gang may brutally tie her up with a rope, and gag her mouth with a cloth; a thick cloth or handkerchief is generally used to cover her eyes. The kidnappers often threaten their victim with a gun or knife to suppress any struggle that could attract attention. If the scuffle persists, they sit on her.
12The word amarya becomes relevant here as the group’s grand design is to deceive the unsuspecting public. They sing, clap, laugh heartily, supposedly in expression of solidarity with their newly-wedded friend, popularly called ango mijim amarya.22
13The ’Yan Daukar Amarya then head for their hideout in a remote part of the town. The victims often sustain injuries during these operations. Some kidnapped women have been known to resist bravely and are called Yar’guguwa or Yar’bori.23 Once subdued, the victim is raped by all the members of the gang. The ’Yan Daukar Amarya continually change their mode of operation, making it difficult to apprehend them or even guess where and when an operation will take place.
Intoxicants used
14The stimulants and weapons used are similar to the ’Yan Daba and ’Yan Banga. In addition, however, they use drugs to enhance the sexual act, such as gaggau24– a popular powdered substance taken in a soup before sexual intercourse; they also use sleeping potions on their victims.
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