Despite the relentless efforts of security forces across Nigeria, the kidnapping menace continues to escalate, with victims frequently subjected to inhumane treatment, even after paying large ransoms.
Retired military generals and security experts say this disturbing trend persists due to internal compromise within security agencies, lack of synergy among institutions, and weak community collaboration.
Kidnapping has grown into a nationwide threat, sparing no one, from farmers and traders to political figures and high-ranking officials.
One of the most shocking cases in recent times involved retired Brigadier General Maharazu Tsiga, former Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).
He was abducted at gunpoint in his hometown in Bakori Local Government Area of Katsina State on February 5, 2025, alongside nine other residents.
Initially, the kidnappers demanded a staggering ₦250 million ransom. But after weeks of negotiation and a prolonged period of captivity, his family and community were forced to raise over ₦60 million before he was finally released—nearly two months later.
In Delta State, tragedy struck again on March 29 when a farmer, Godwin Anuka, was killed in front of his wife and children after they were all kidnapped in Ubulu-Uku.
According to Harrison Gwamnishu, a senior aide to the Delta State Governor, Anuka’s murder followed the earlier abduction of two other individuals in the same region, showing how widespread and persistent these attacks have become.
Even when families meet ransom demands, safety is not always guaranteed. On March 22, 2025, three kidnapped residents of the Surubu community in Kaduna State were killed by their captors despite payment.
Perhaps one of the most chilling examples of the cruelty of kidnappers is the abduction of Justice Azuka, a sitting member of the Anambra State House of Assembly representing Onitsha North 1 Constituency. Kidnapped on December 24, 2024, his decomposed body was found near the Second Niger Bridge over a month later, despite efforts to secure his release.
The scale of this crisis was further exposed by the President of the Afenifere National Youth Council, Eniola Ojajuni, who spent 12 days in captivity. Upon his release, he disclosed that kidnappers operate at least 55 camps across the South-West region alone—pointing to a vast and well-organized network.
Retired Generals Offer Insights
Speaking on the worsening situation, Gen. Ishola Williams (Rtd), a former Chief of Defence Training and Planning, blamed collusion between criminals and security personnel for the lack of progress in curbing kidnapping.
“Criminals are working with security operatives,” he said. “Many of these high-profile kidnappers are known to the agencies, yet nothing is done about them. In some cases, the kidnappers and security officials are in contract-like relationships.”
Williams also noted that, while telecom providers often assist security agencies, some cybercriminals have found ways to bypass call-tracking mechanisms. Worse still, there are suspicions that insiders within telecom companies may be feeding sensitive information to kidnappers.
He added, “Without local community cooperation and support for regional security groups like Amotekun, law enforcement alone cannot guarantee safety.”
Maj. Gen. Dayo Olukoju (Rtd), another respected voice in the military, highlighted the disjointed efforts among agencies as a major weakness.
“There’s poor synergy between security bodies, the National Identity Management Commission, and the Nigerian Communications Commission.
In a system where SIM cards are registered and national identity databases exist, how are criminals still untraceable?” he asked.
Olukoju advocated for the creation of special courts to handle kidnapping cases swiftly, bypassing traditional legal bottlenecks.
He also raised concerns about reports from victims who claimed some abductees were slaughtered and their body parts sold—an indication that kidnapping may be linked to even more sinister criminal enterprises.
A retired Colonel, who requested anonymity, shared a similar view. He said evidence suggests that kidnapping operations are run like cartels, with insiders embedded in various institutions, including banks.
In some cases, kidnappers are warned when ransom payments involve marked bills—suggesting intelligence leaks from financial institutions or law enforcement agents.
“These are not isolated criminals. They are organized, armed, and connected locally and internationally. The only way to dismantle such a network is through highly coordinated and intelligence-driven operations,” he said.
A Crisis Requiring Unified Action
The views of these retired generals underline a growing concern: that kidnapping in Nigeria has evolved beyond random acts of violence into a well-funded, deeply entrenched criminal enterprise.
With kidnappers emboldened by weak enforcement, insider collusion, and a slow judicial process, the situation demands a more unified and strategic national response.
Until institutions begin working together seamlessly—and communities commit to supporting law enforcement—Nigeria’s kidnapping crisis may continue to worsen.
