By: Abdulrazaq Kamaldeen
Nigeria has become a haven for kidnappers, with security deteriorating from its strongholds. In a country where law enforcement struggles to ensure safety, life has become precarious.
Tragically, killings are now a source of amusement, and kidnapping has evolved into a lucrative ransom-driven crime. Nigeria is now a country of “live here at your own risk” since kidnapping and killing have become the daily nugget for Nigerians.
Hundreds of thousands of lives have been claimed. Recently, five sisters were kidnapped by unknown people, and one of them, Nabeeha, was killed on Saturday 13th, January of this year, just because her family was unable to pay at the stipulated date.
Bandits have proliferated, transforming kidnapping into a source of income. Students bear the brunt of large-scale abduction occurring in various university states.
The escalating state of kidnapping is deeply concerning, highlighting a significant security challenge in Nigeria.
The rapid kidnapping currently is uncalled for, and the quick rise of kidnapping testifies to the weak security in Nigeria. According to ICIR reports, in 2013, there were 31 kidnapping incidents involving 351 victims, subsequently, the number surged, reaching 84 incidents with 897 victims in 2014, and continued to rise. By 2022, there were 515 incidents with 4,680 victims and the first half of 2023 witnessed 199 incidents. The alarming trend with 1,384 victims.
Nigeria is grappling with a multifaceted crisis, encompassing issues such as killings, soaring inflation, kidnappings, and banditry. The prevailing circumstances cast a somber shadow over the nation.
Notably, the inadequately equipped security forces, originally tasked with safeguarding the country, are often preoccupied with escorting and protecting politicians, the government, and select citizens, leaving significant gaps in overall security.
In 2021, Save the Children and International, an NGO, revealed that more than 1000 students were abducted from school in Nigeria. Data from NST also highlighted the shifting pattern of kidnapping from one region to another.