The Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, says kidnapping as a crime has been commercialized, making it almost impossible to end the social menace.

Governor Wike said this during a courtesy call on him by Rotary District Governor 9141 Nigeria at the Government House, Port Harcourt.

The Governor said security report shows that young people between the ages of sixteen and twenty-two are involved in the act of cultism.

Wike called on Rotary Nigeria to embark on enlightenment programme to ensure that the youths were educated on the dangers of cultism and kidnapping.

According to him, “It is now impossible to stop kidnapping in Nigeria; it (kidnapping) is now a business. It has been commercialised.

“It is now a major business. Everyone must partner with the government to ensure that we reduce it to the barest minimum. But it cannot be totally eradicated.

“Look at what is happening across the country. Kidnapping has taken over all states. When it started here, it was politicised. But today, it is negatively affecting all states of the federation.

“A few days ago, a Court of Appeal judge was kidnapped in Benin. Before that, a Federal High Court judge was kidnapped. All of us must work together to stop this scourge.”

Earlier, District Governor of Rotary International District 9141, Nze Anizor, described the governor as a rare leader, who contributed to the development of the state.