Kidnapping in South West: A Painful Tragedy, Call for Urgent Government Action

The rising wave of kidnapping across Nigeria’s South West has become a painful tragedy that can no longer be ignored. Once regarded as one of the safest regions in the country, communities in Oyo, Ondo, Ogun, Ekiti, Osun and Lagos are now living in fear as criminal gangs continue to target innocent citizens, travelers, farmers, students and teachers.

The recent abduction of teachers in Oyo State once again exposed the growing insecurity in the region. These educators, whose only mission was to shape the future of young Nigerians, suddenly became victims of terror in the hands of kidnappers demanding ransom. Sadly, this is not an isolated incident. Across the South West, farmers have abandoned their lands, commuters now fear major highways, and families continue to suffer trauma from repeated kidnappings.

From the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway to remote communities in Ondo and Ekiti forests, criminal elements are exploiting weak security coordination and poor intelligence gathering. Many victims are kidnapped in broad daylight, while residents increasingly lose confidence in the ability of authorities to protect lives and property.

Stakeholders across the region have continued to raise alarm over the worsening insecurity. Traditional rulers, civil society organisations, market leaders, transport unions, religious groups and education stakeholders are calling for urgent and coordinated action to stop the growing menace. Teachers’ associations have warned that fear and insecurity are already affecting education in rural communities, while farmers say persistent attacks are threatening food production and livelihoods.

Many Nigerians have also expressed frustration over what they describe as slow government response and weak enforcement against criminal networks. Concerned citizens believe the South West is gradually losing its reputation as a relatively peaceful region, warning that continued inaction could damage economic activities, scare investors and deepen public fear.

Security analysts and community leaders have urged governors in the region to move beyond political statements and implement practical solutions. According to them, stronger intelligence sharing among states, improved funding for security agencies, recruitment of more local vigilantes, deployment of modern surveillance technology, and proper coordination with Amotekun corps are urgently needed.

South West governors must act fast before the situation spirals further out of control. Security can no longer be treated as routine political rhetoric. Criminal hideouts in forests and isolated communities must be dismantled, while border monitoring between states must be strengthened to cut off escape routes used by kidnappers.

Beyond security operations, government must also tackle unemployment, poverty and youth frustration, which many observers believe are contributing factors to rising criminality. Community leaders, traditional institutions and residents must equally support intelligence gathering by reporting suspicious movements and activities.

The people of the South West deserve to live, work and travel without fear. Every delay in confronting this crisis gives criminals more confidence and innocent citizens more pain. Nigerians are demanding urgent intervention, decisive leadership and lasting solutions before the region descends deeper into insecurity.

By Dr. Muyiwa Suleiman, a community leader and social analyst

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