THE INSECURITIES IN NIGERIA – KIDNAPPING

By Okolakpa Favour Ajiri

Tinubu (2026) reported that we should “pray for bandits and terrorists to abandon their evil ways.” This particular statement made by the President connotes that the security system has gone beyond repair. It has triggered anger among many Nigerians, who are beginning to wonder if they are still safe living under such governance.

Insecurity in Nigeria has now become a common experience for many citizens. The country’s security system has been badly weakened by poor leadership. What is insecurity? The dictionary defines insecurity as the lack of security. It can be caused by anything or any action that threatens the safety of people. There are different types of insecurity, including emotional, physical, financial, and social insecurity. However, for the purpose of this writing, we are focusing on insecurity in our society. In Nigeria, insecurity can be seen as a situation where citizens feel unsafe in their environment. Theft, vandalism, killing, burglary, and kidnapping are examples of the forms of insecurity we face in the country. This article focuses on kidnapping as a case study.

Kidnapping is one of the greatest security challenges in Nigeria today. According to the Oxford Dictionary, kidnapping is the act of abducting someone and holding them captive. It is also defined as the criminal offence of taking a person against their will, sometimes for ransom. According to Nigeria’s history, kidnapping dates back to the pre-colonial period, when people were taken for slavery or human sacrifice. In contemporary times, however, kidnapping has become the order of the day, not for sacrifices, but for financial gain and the infliction of pain on victims.

Over the years, kidnapping has spread from the North to the East, South, and almost every part of Nigeria. These days, bandits move freely from one location to another, causing citizens to live in fear. The most disturbing part is that these bandits are no longer afraid to challenge the government openly. On June 26, 2026, Bello Turji, a bandit leader, circulated a video online stating that his group was ready for either peace or war with Nigerians. What an audacity! Currently, children appear to be their primary targets, as they seem more interested in attacking schools and abducting students.

According to reports, a kidnapping occurred in Zamfara State on February 26, 2021, during the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari. During the attack, bandits raided the Government Girls Science Secondary School in Jangebe and abducted many students. Also, Greenfield University in Kasarami Village, Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State, was attacked that same year, and 20 students, alongside two staff members, were kidnapped. The kidnappers demanded ₦800 million as ransom. This incident marked the fourth school kidnapping recorded during that period in 2021. This shows that the country has suffered from this menace for many years. The kidnapping that reportedly took place on May 15, 2026, in Oyo State further highlighted the seriousness of the situation, as three schools were reportedly attacked on the same day and several children were abducted. This incident angered the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), which declared an indefinite strike on June 1, 2026.

However, as we know, every problem has a cause. Therefore, it is important to discuss the causes of kidnapping in Nigeria. There are many factors responsible for its spread, but this article focuses on a few of them: weak governance, poverty, and a poor security system.

One major cause of kidnapping is the weakness of the government system. The system has become ineffective and has lost its credibility. Leaders are failing in their responsibilities, thereby allowing criminals to continue their activities. Imagine a President asking citizens to pray that bandits will abandon their evil ways without taking stronger action against them. It has now reached a point where bandits openly issue conditions to government officials. If the country’s leadership were not weak, what confidence would a bandit leader have to publicly claim responsibility for attacks on security operatives in Sokoto and Zamfara States while threatening further retaliation? Such actions demonstrate the weakness of the government system. Therefore, weak governance remains one of the major causes of the continued rise in kidnapping across the country.

Another major cause of kidnapping is the high level of poverty. Poverty pushes many people into criminal activities. For example, if someone you dearly love is critically ill and you have no money to save them, and another person offers you money in exchange for committing a crime such as kidnapping, only a few people would be able to resist. This illustrates how poverty contributes to crime. Until poverty is significantly reduced, insecurity will continue to spread.

Our security agencies are also not helping matters, and they remain part of the reason kidnapping continues to increase. Ayodele Ajayi (2026), in an interview, stated that security is not the responsibility of the government alone but also of citizens, who should report suspicious activities. To some extent, this is true. However, many citizens are afraid to report crimes in a country where corruption is widespread and money is often valued above human lives. Therefore, security agencies must become more effective in carrying out their duties and eliminate bribery and corruption. Otherwise, criminals will continue to operate freely.

Furthermore, kidnapping has serious effects on individuals and society. These include loss of lives, psychological trauma for victims, fear among citizens, and damage to Nigeria’s international image.

Many citizens have lost their lives as a result of kidnapping. Some have been killed by bandits, while others have died from illness, poor living conditions, hunger, or harsh treatment while in captivity. During the reported attack in Oyo State in May 2026, a mathematics teacher, Michael Oyedokun, was reportedly beheaded by bandits. Many innocent lives have been lost. May their souls rest in peace.

Victims who survive kidnapping often suffer severe psychological trauma. Although they escape with their lives, the emotional and mental effects remain with them for years, making every day a painful reminder of their experience.

The increasing rate of kidnapping has also created fear among Nigerians. Many people are now afraid to travel or move around freely because of the fear of being kidnapped or attacked.

Another major consequence is the damage to Nigeria’s international reputation. Countries are reluctant to associate closely with nations that are widely known for insecurity. As kidnapping continues to spread, Nigeria finds it more difficult to earn the trust and confidence of the international community. This has greatly affected the country’s image.

In view of all these challenges, it is clear that the government must take decisive action to protect both the country’s image and its citizens. One important solution is to promote good leadership. The government should place greater value on the lives of its citizens than on power and political influence. It is time for leaders to make the security of Nigerians their highest priority. The government should also create more employment opportunities and establish empowerment programmes to reduce poverty. Furthermore, the security system should become more effective, and justice should never be influenced by money or corruption. If these measures are properly implemented, Nigeria can become a safer and better place to live.

To our government: “It is not too late to make a difference.”