The need for swift action to address growing menace of mass abductions in Nigeria

In recent days, Nigeria has witnessed a distressing surge in abductions carried out by Islamic terrorists and bandits.

These criminal acts have targeted vulnerable individuals, including women, pupils, and internally displaced persons.

The alarming frequency of these incidents calls for an immediate re-evaluation of national security strategies to effectively combat this wave of criminality.

The recent abductions highlight the inadequacy of the existing national security strategies in dealing with the relentless onslaught of terrorists and bandits. The government must acknowledge the urgency of the situation and take swift action to address this growing menace.

The mass abductions bear an eerie resemblance to the dark days of the Muhammadu Buhari administration, where bandits and terrorists operated with impunity. It is imperative that the current administration led by Bola Tinubu takes decisive measures to prevent a return to this era of fear and insecurity.

The Salafist modus operandi, which targets soft targets such as women, pupils, and internally displaced persons, is a cause for grave concern. The recent kidnappings of schoolchildren in Sokoto and Kaduna, as well as the abduction of women in Borno State, underscore the urgent need for enhanced security measures to safeguard these vulnerable groups.

The responsibility to address this crisis falls squarely on the shoulders of the federal government. Merely ordering security forces to rescue the abductees is not enough. The government must demonstrate unwavering determination to put an end to mass kidnappings once and for all.

Combating terrorism and banditry requires a comprehensive approach that involves not only the security forces but also the cooperation of local communities, intelligence agencies, and neighboring countries.

The government must prioritise collaboration and information sharing to effectively dismantle these criminal networks. The recent surge in abductions in Nigeria demands urgent action from the Bola Tinubu administration.

The protection of soft targets, swift government intervention, and collaborative efforts are essential to ensure the safety and security of all Nigerians. The time to act is now, as the future of the nation hangs in the balance.

Over the past seven years, the northern region of Nigeria has witnessed a disturbing trend of mass abductions of schoolchildren by terrorists and bandits.

Shockingly, a total of 1,548 innocent children have fallen victim to these heinous crimes in 11 separate incidents between April 2014 and June 2021. The first of these incidents was the infamous abduction of 276 schoolgirls from their dormitories in Chibok, Borno State, on April 14, 2014.

Unfortunately, this brazen act of terror did not deter the Salafists, who have since gone on to raid several other schools, including the Bethel Baptist Secondary School, UBE Rama Primary School, Government Science Secondary School, and Federal College of Forestry Mechanisation, all in Kaduna State.

In Zamfara State, 317 schoolgirls were kidnapped from Government Girls Secondary School.The situation reached a boiling point on December 11, 2020, when 300 students at Government Science Secondary School in Kankara, Katsina State, were abducted during a visit by the then-president, Buhari, to his Katsina country home.

Bandits also targeted Government Science College, Kagara, in Niger State, and made off with 72 students. These incidents all occurred under the cover of darkness, with the victims taken into the forest and negotiations facilitated by third parties.

Sadly, this is not the first time such a tragedy has occurred. In February 2018, 113 girls were kidnapped from Government Girls Secondary School in Dapchi, Yobe State. While most of the girls were eventually released, one, Leah Sharibu, remains in captivity after refusing to renounce her Christian faith.

More recently, in April 2021, bandits kidnapped 17 students from Greenfield University in Kaduna State, killing five of them and holding the remaining 14 captive for over a month. The families of the victims were forced to pay over N100 million in ransom before their loved ones were finally released.

These incidents are a stark reminder of the dangers faced by schoolchildren in northern Nigeria and the urgent need for the government to take decisive action to protect them.

No fewer than 169 pupils of Salihu Tanko Islamic School, Tegina, Niger State, were equally abducted on May 30, 2021, amongst several other mass abductions which have exposed the nation’s ineffectual security system, leaving the authorities red-faced with shame.

The security situation in Nigeria remains a cause for concern, as citizens continue to fall victim to the activities of terrorists and bandits. The recent hijacking of the Abuja-Kaduna train and the subsequent abduction of passengers is a stark reminder of the need for urgent action to be taken.

Despite the assurances of the current administration, there has been little evidence to suggest that the government is making any headway in tackling the security crisis. The mass abductions of citizens continue to occur with alarming frequency, and the failure to prosecute Boko Haram suspects only serves to undermine the government’s credibility on this issue.

It is heartening to note that the government has made significant investments in procuring arms and ammunition for security agencies and officers. However, this alone is not enough to address the root causes of the security crisis.

The government must also take concrete steps to address issues such as poverty, unemployment, and corruption, which are often cited as drivers of insecurity. As Nigerians, we must all come together to demand better from our leaders. We cannot afford to sit back and watch as our fellow citizens are subjected to violence and terror. It is time for action, and it is time for change.

The recent surge in mass abductions in Nigeria has highlighted the urgent need for the government to take decisive action to address the security challenges facing the country.

The government’s recent procurement of N5 trillion worth of tanks and armoured fighting vehicles for the security forces, as reported by the NBS, must be justified by preventing abductions and other criminal acts through proactive surveillance and intelligence operations, as well as active inter-agency coordination and collaboration.

Experts have suggested that addressing mass abductions requires a multifaceted approach that involves both short-term and long-term strategies. The government should prioritise improving security infrastructure and intelligence capabilities to prevent abductions from occurring in the first place.

This can be achieved by deploying security forces to vulnerable areas, increasing surveillance, and implementing checkpoints along known routes used by abductors.Prompt investigation of abduction cases and bringing perpetrators to justice is also crucial.

This requires enhancing the capacity of law enforcement agencies, including training personnel, improving coordination between different security agencies, and ensuring consequences for those involved in abductions.

International cooperation is also essential since many of these security challenges transcend national borders. The Nigerian government should work with regional and international partners to share intelligence, coordinate efforts to combat transnational criminal networks, and address the root causes of insecurity.

Corruption and governance failures have been known to exacerbate security challenges by undermining the effectiveness of law enforcement and perpetuating social inequality.

Therefore, the government should prioritise efforts to combat corruption, improve governance, and ensure accountability to build trust and confidence in state institutions.

The establishment of state police forces is essential in deterring mass abductions by actively patrolling and being present in vulnerable areas like rural communities, highways, and border regions.