2024 is just less than a month yet Nigeria has been confronted with a series of disasters, ranging from killings in Jos to escalating kidnappings in Abuja and other parts of the country. The alarming situation also includes an explosion in Ibadan and a fire in Port Harcourt. Last year’s “one chance” incidents have given way to an even more concerning trend: a surge in kidnappings, turning Abuja into a den for criminals.
In a recent incident, bandits brazenly infiltrated homes in the Federal Capital Territory, seizing seven members of the Al-Kadriyar family and five members of the Ariyo family. Their audacity extended beyond individual homes, targeting various locations.
Exacerbating the situation, the bandits escalated the ransom demand from an initial N60 million to a staggering N700 million. Following the failure to meet this outrageous demand, the criminals mercilessly killed Nabeeha, Folashade, and two others, callously abandoning their bodies by the roadside. This gruesome act has heightened safety concerns among citizens, who perceive a lapse in the government’s duty to protect them.
On January 7, bandits kidnapped 30 travelers along the Abuja-Kaduna Expressway. Despite the gravity of the situation, the police flatly denied the occurrence, a response that lacks credibility, given the historical tendency of security agencies in Nigeria to default to denial as a defense mechanism.
The Federal Capital Territory Minister’s reassurance to residents lacks concrete action regarding those still held captive. It is heartwarming that some victims in the kidnappers’ den have regained their freedom, but the situation remains dire, and the populace awaits tangible efforts to rescue others in peril.
The spate of killings extends beyond the FCT to Plateau, Benue, Niger, Katsina, Zamfara, Taraba, and Kaduna states. Bandits are seemingly in control, demanding tributes and levying taxes on communities. Reports indicate that between June 2011 and March 2022, payments to bandits have exceeded $18 million, underscoring the lucrative nature of their criminal activities.
In the face of these challenges, President Bola Tinubu should implement new strategies, recognising that terrorists have gained significant ground. Curbing arms proliferation, ending open grazing, setting targets for security chiefs, and holding them accountable for failure are crucial steps.
The Department of State Services must focus on intelligence gathering, redirecting efforts from persecuting harmless critics to tracking criminals. Enhanced use of NIN-SIM data can aid in locating and apprehending perpetrators.
Policing in Nigeria needs a comprehensive overhaul. The withdrawal of officers attached to VIPs in favor of field duties and decentralising the police force are imperative steps toward ensuring effective security measures.
In fact, we call for a total overhauling of the nation’s security architecture.
The time for action is now. The safety and well-being of Nigerians depend on the government’s commitment to addressing these escalating challenges and restoring peace to the nation.