Nigeria’s Real Criminals: A Government That Profits from Insecurity

 

The Nigerian government and its security agents have turned the kidnapping crisis into a profitable business, prioritizing their pockets over the safety of the nation’s citizens.

In Nigeria, the government’s approach to security seems as effective as using a sieve to carry water. With a staggering 2,140 kidnappings reported across 24 states between January and July, it's evident that Nigeria is under siege, not just by criminals, but by the very institutions meant to protect its people. These figures are more than just statistics—they represent the countless lives disrupted, communities shattered, and a nation paralyzed by fear and hopelessness. The current state of insecurity in Nigeria is a tragic indictment of a government and its security apparatus, which appear too corrupt, incompetent, and uncommitted to tackle the country's security problems. And it’s the poor Nigerians who bear the brunt of this failure.

Nigeria’s security forces, under the leadership of successive governments, have become synonymous with inefficiency and corruption. The recent statistics highlight this gross incompetence. In January alone, 193 people were abducted; by May, this figure had soared to 977. Zamfara, Kaduna, and Niger states are some of the worst hit, with 667, 454, and 252 victims, respectively. Even the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, recorded 183 kidnappings. These numbers paint a grim picture of a country held hostage by criminals, where the very essence of safety and security has been eroded.

The pervasive corruption within Nigeria's security agencies has significantly contributed to the worsening security situation. There are numerous accounts of law enforcement officers colluding with criminals, turning a blind eye to atrocities in exchange for bribes. This corruption has bred a culture of impunity, where criminals are emboldened to carry out their heinous acts, knowing full well that the chances of being apprehended are slim. For instance, the tragic case of Isa Bawa, the 73-year-old Emir of Gobir in Sokoto State, who was kidnapped and later murdered despite a ransom of N60 million being paid, exemplifies the lawlessness that has become the norm. The ransom economy that has developed alongside this crisis is a direct result of the government's failure to implement effective security measures.

The kidnapping crisis is not just a matter of crime; it’s a lucrative business fueled by the incompetence and corruption of those in power. Over N389 million was reportedly paid as ransom in just seven months to secure the release of 62 victims, and this is merely a fraction of the total extorted by kidnappers. High-profile cases, such as the N60 million ransom mobilized by a former minister, Ali Pantami, for the release of his relatives, or the $50,000 (N79.8 million) paid for a retired military officer, underscore how deeply entrenched this criminal economy has become. These ransoms only serve to embolden the kidnappers, creating a vicious cycle of crime that further undermines the country’s already fragile security.

The economic impact of this epidemic is devastating. Nigeria’s agricultural sector, particularly in the North, has been severely affected, with bandits laying siege to farming communities. In states like Niger, Kaduna, Katsina, Zamfara, and Taraba, bandits have taken control, demanding tributes during planting and harvest seasons. This has led to a significant decline in food production, contributing to the rising cost of living. The night-time economy has collapsed as Nigerians are too fearful to venture out after dark, and the tourism sector is in sharp decline due to the increasing dangers of domestic travel. Even local businesses are on the brink of shutting down, as exemplified by Okomu Oil Plc’s threat to cease operations due to repeated kidnappings and attacks on its facilities.

While the economy crumbles and Nigerians suffer, President Bola Tinubu appears more concerned with his international image than addressing the growing insecurity at home. His frequent travels in search of investors seem absurd when the nation is drowning in chaos. No investor in their right mind would pour money into a country where law and order are on the brink of collapse. Tinubu’s administration has failed to prioritize security, allowing bandits and kidnappers to tighten their grip on vast swathes of the country.

Nigeria's security architecture is a relic of the past, inadequate for the challenges of the present. The country remains the only federal entity with a unitary police force, which has proven utterly incapable of addressing the complex and widespread nature of Nigeria’s security challenges. The call for state policing is no longer just a matter of debate but a necessity. The success of regional security outfits like Amotekun in Western Nigeria shows that a multi-layered policing system can work, provided there are strong legal safeguards against political misuse.

Furthermore, the federal police force is woefully understaffed, with only 371,000 officers to protect a population of 231 million. To make matters worse, over two-thirds of these officers are assigned to protect VIPs, leaving ordinary citizens at the mercy of criminals. President Tinubu and Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun must address this imbalance by reducing the number of officers assigned to VIP protection and deploying them to areas where they are desperately needed.

The government must also invest in modern technology, such as drones and surveillance systems, to enhance the police's capacity for intelligence gathering and crime prevention. However, all these measures will be meaningless if corruption continues to plague the recruitment process into the police force. The Police Service Commission and the Inspector-General must ensure a transparent and corruption-free recruitment process to ensure that only qualified and law-abiding citizens are enlisted.

But let’s not kid ourselves; even with these measures, the Nigerian government and its security agents have a long way to go before they can regain the trust of the people. After all, it’s difficult to trust a government that prioritizes the safety of the few over the lives of the many. Nigeria is at a crossroads, and the decisions made today will determine whether the country can overcome its security challenges or descend further into chaos.

In the end, it seems that the real kidnappers in Nigeria might not just be the criminals hiding in the forests, but the very institutions meant to protect the people, who have effectively held the nation’s security hostage through their corruption, incompetence, and lack of commitment. It’s a grim reminder that in Nigeria, the more things change, the more they remain the same.