Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu has summoned the nation’s top security officials to an emergency meeting at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, following a surge in kidnappings across the country.

The meeting, which was closed to the media, included key figures such as the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, and other high-ranking military and police officers.

The president’s spokesperson, Femi Adesina, said the meeting was aimed at reviewing the security situation and devising strategies to combat the kidnapping menace that has plagued the nation.

“The president is deeply concerned about the safety and well-being of Nigerians, especially those who have fallen victim to the kidnappers. He has ordered the security agencies to intensify their efforts and bring the perpetrators to justice,” Adesina said.

Kidnapping for ransom has become a lucrative and widespread criminal activity in Nigeria, affecting both rural and urban areas. According to SBM Intelligence, a Lagos-based think tank, kidnappers collected at least $18 million in ransom between 2011 and 2020, with more than half of it between 2016 and 2020.

The situation has worsened in recent months, with several high-profile incidents sparking public outrage and fear. Just last week, over 85 people were abducted in a shocking spree along the Kaduna – Abuja highway, with some losing their lives to violence. The highway, which connects the capital city with the northwestern region, has been notorious for kidnappings for years.

The crisis also hit close to home for the president, as six sisters and their father were kidnapped in Abuja, the city where he resides. The sisters, who are relatives of the president’s wife, Remi Tinubu, were seized from their home by armed men who demanded a ransom of N60 million (about $146,000).

Tragically, after a failed ransom collection, the eldest sister, Najeebah, was killed. Her death was confirmed by Isa Pantami, former Minister for Communication and Digital Economy, who had been in contact with the grieving father. Pantami expressed his sorrow on X (formerly Twitter): “Inna lil Laahi wa inna ilaiHi Raajiun! May Allah forgive her and bring absolute peace to Nigeria.”

First Lady Remi Tinubu, who was deeply moved by the incident, issued a statement urging security forces to step up their efforts. “The safety and swift return of the Al-Kadriyar sisters and others in captivity should be our paramount concern,” she emphasized.

President Tinubu, who rushed from a book launch at the Transcorp Hilton for the critical meeting, is expected to discuss comprehensive strategies with the security chiefs to tackle the kidnapping challenge.

The president has also called for “massive education” of the youth as a long-term solution to the problem, saying that poverty and illiteracy are the root causes of criminality. He has pledged to invest more in the education sector and create more opportunities for the young generation.

The president’s actions have been welcomed by many Nigerians, who hope that the government will finally address the security crisis that has threatened the stability and development of the country.

Source: Business Day