11/08/2025
Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea
For quite sometime now, the peaceful Nupe speaking communities in Kwara North have come under increasing, sustained, and dangerous attacks by criminal elements - bandits as they are called. Almost on daily basis, people are being kidnapped from their homes and farms indiscriminately. Just two days ago, the terrorists finally released two siblings after holding them hostage for 41 days. None of those boys is more than 15 years old.
I have keenly followed this ugly development, speaking to the victims' family and friends, as well as community leaders. What started like a tragic scene from an action movie has now grown into a large-scale act of terrorism, sending fears and uncertainty across the major towns and its neighbouring communities. Security operatives are completely overwhelmed, and government seems either confused or ineffective in nipping this menace in the bud.
The Last time a video surfaced online, showing the deserted village of Ganmu-Alheri, which some reporters described as a "ghost town," the spokesperson for the Kwara State police command issued a statement debunking it. Sometimes I wonder if some people have any iota of integrity or shame left in them. How will the man sleep at night with his conscience intact? Well, that's a story for another day.
The last time local hunters and vigilantes went into the forest to confront those bandits, more than 30 of our people lost their lives. This shows how sophisticated, bold and dangerous these criminals have become right in our own backyard. So far, close to N200m has been paid in ransom to these criminal elements in less than 3 months. This is not an exaggeration.
As a personal principle, I do not share such fliers or messages of gofundme for kidnap victims. Terrorists play and prey on the emotions of the family of the victims and the general public to keep oiling their criminal enterprise. This is why they release videos of their captives being tortured and threatened, forcing them to appeal for the ransom to be paid. It's a tough decision to call their bluff as it may lead to the death of the victim, yet it is a dangerous decision to pay them, thereby making them to feel emboldened. The only reason why there are more kidnap incidents is because they are getting paid.
The kidnapping industry is the most lucrative business in Nigeria today. Two nights ago, Mallam Manko of Eko village (under Lafiagi district) was kidnapped alongside his wife, Rekiya. They regained freedom last night after an undisclosed amount was paid to the bandits. Just last night, Gbale community also under Lafiagi was attacked by the bandits. Reports are still sketchy on what really transpired, but I heard that 2 people were kidnapped.
Most of our people are peasants. They live "hand to mouth." Our homes and farmlands are no longer safe. This threat must not be treated lightly. It is a recipe for a monumental disaster. Leaving the victims to suffer in the hands of these criminals is a tough choice for their relatives and friends. At the same time, paying the kidnappers to secure their release is encouraging them to do more. The more money they receive, the more people they will keep kidnapping.
We are stuck and confused. We need divine intervention urgently!
Sanusi Lafiagi
