The surge in abductions, previously concentrated in the North-West, has now infiltrated major cities across Nigeria as criminal elements extend their operations beyond highways and rural areas. Recently, assailants have intensified attacks in Lagos, Abuja, and other urban centers.
Tragically, the killing of four victims from Sagwari Estate Layout in Abuja’s Bwari Area Council ignited public outrage. The criminals demanded a staggering N700 million ransom for the release of seven family members, resulting in the death of Nabeeha Al-Kadriyar, a 400-level student at Ahmadu Bello University.
As of Monday night, five sisters, including Najeebah and Nadherah, remain captive, with kidnappers escalating the ransom demand to N100 million per captive, set for Wednesday.
In a desperate plea for financial support, the Al-Kadriyar family turned to the public, emphasizing the urgency of securing the release of their loved ones.
Simultaneously, other cases have emerged nationwide, including the tragic killing of 13-year-old Folashade Ariyo, further emphasizing the severity of the situation. Her father, Oladosu Ariyo, a lawyer, has implored the Nigerian Bar Association to intervene urgently.
The alarming statistics from the 2023 Nigeria Security Report reveal a grim reality: 9,754 deaths and 4,049 abduction cases between January and December 2023.
Security reports indicate a shift in kidnapping trends, with criminal activities spreading to the South-West, particularly in Lagos and Ogun states. Recent incidents in these regions include the abduction of a 13-year-old schoolgirl, Miracle Adereti, and a car dealer known as Ejike Conversion.
The epidemic is not confined to the South; Ogun State reported the abduction of a 70-year-old piggery farmer, Pa Adeife Ifelaja, and other incidents unfolded in Enugu, Imo, Edo, and Zamfara states.
Expressing concern over the escalating crisis, public figures like the First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, and former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar have called for urgent government action. Atiku, in a Facebook post, highlighted the role of poverty and hunger in exacerbating the security menace.
However, the apparent silence from government officials and security agencies on the rising cases of kidnappings across major cities has left citizens disillusioned and anxious.
The Nigerian Bar Association and security experts are also expressing their concerns, emphasizing the need for swift and effective measures to address the insecurity crisis. The Chairman of the NBA Bwari FCT chapter, Paul Dauda, urges the government to tackle the issue promptly, while security expert Chidi Omeje criticizes the government’s apparent inaction.
As the nation grapples with this abduction epidemic, there is a growing consensus that immediate and decisive action is imperative to ensure the safety and security of citizens across Nigeria.
