Nasarawa State Governor, Abdullahi Sule, has declared kidnapping a national emergency. He stated that the crime transcends regional boundaries. Furthermore, he insisted that the phenomenon did not originate in Northern Nigeria, contrary to popular belief.
The Governor spoke during an interview on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics. He argued that Nigerians often forget history. He pointed out that between 2003 and 2009, kidnapping was rare in the North. However, it was rampant in the oil-producing southern regions.
Tension Among Governors
Governor Sule described a recent meeting of Nigerian governors. He called the atmosphere emotionally charged and tense. State leaders expressed frustration over the rising insecurity.
According to Sule, colleagues raised their voices during the session. They traded accusations regarding their response to the crisis. He cited this agitation as proof that governors are deeply worried and not taking the situation lightly.
The Economic Roots of Abduction
Sule drew from his professional experience in the oil and gas industry. He recalled a time when the abduction of oil workers was a daily activity in the Niger Delta.
He described these early incidents as “economic kidnapping”. They were driven primarily by the willingness of oil companies to pay ransoms.
Sule mentioned a specific incident involving the firm Tetra Tech. Consequently, he had to work as a consultant in Port Harcourt because abducted workers refused to return to the country. He observed that this violence subsided during former President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration. This followed successful negotiations regarding resource control.
A Call for National Unity
The Governor warned against treating insecurity as a regional problem. He lamented that the North previously viewed kidnapping in the South as a distant issue.
Now, the crisis has shifted northwards. Therefore, he urged all Nigerians to unite to eradicate the threat completely.
Rising Violence and Federal Response
These comments follow a spike in violent abductions across the country. Recent incidents include mass kidnappings in:
- Niger State
- Kebbi State
- Kwara State
In response to the deteriorating situation, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu declared a nationwide security emergency on November 26. He ordered intelligence agencies and the military to expand recruitment. Additionally, they must deploy thousands of extra personnel to secure the nation.
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