Why kidnappers remain ruthless despite military crackdown —Retired generals

Harrison Gwamnishu, the Senior Special Assistant on Civil Society and Youth Mobilisation to the Delta State Governor, in a Facebook post on Wednesday, said “Before targeting Anuka and his family, the gunmen had also abducted two others, identified as Chibueze and Afam.”

Further exacerbating concerns, some kidnappers also killed three abducted residents of Surubu community in the Kauru Local Government Area of Kaduna State on March 22, 2025, despite a hefty ransom payment.

Another chilling case that underscores the ruthlessness of kidnappers in Nigeria in recent times is the abduction of a member of the Anambra State House of Assembly who represented Onitsha North 1 Constituency, Justice Azuka.

He was kidnapped on December 24, 2024, in Onitsha.

Despite efforts to secure his release, his decomposing body was discovered near the Second Niger Bridge on February 6, 2025.

The scale of these abductions was further revealed by Afenifere National Youth President, Eniola Ojajuni, after he was released having spent 12 days from captivity.

Ojajuni disclosed that kidnappers operate at least 55 camps across the South-West alone, strategically positioned for their operations.

His revelation fueled concerns on why Nigeria continues to witness kidnapping activities despite ongoing counter-kidnapping efforts by the military, police, and regional security networks.

Speaking to Saturday PUNCH, a former Commandant of Army Signals and Chief of Defence Training and Planning, Gen. Ishola Williams (retd), attributed the ruthlessness of kidnappers to their collusion with security operatives in the country.

He said, “There are criminals colluding with security agencies. Some of these kidnappers, particularly the high-profile ones, are well known to the security agencies. That’s why no one has been able to take action against them.

“It also explains why it is often difficult for the intelligence networks of the security agencies to apprehend them. In some cases, there is even a contract between the kidnappers and the security agencies.”

The retired general emphasised that telecommunication agencies were always willing to cooperate with security agencies to track calls made by the kidnappers.

“However, some yahoo boys have mastered the art of manipulating telecom network systems and mobile phones, making it extremely difficult for the security agencies to trace the kidnappers’ communications.

“There is also a possibility that there are conspirators within the telecom agencies who are part of the kidnapping syndicates. Moreover, if the communities don’t collaborate with local security outfits like Amotekun, there is no way the security agencies can ensure their safety.”

In his submission, a former Director of Procurement at the Defence Headquarters and President of the Akoko Security Peace and Development Council, Maj. Gen. Dayo Olukoju (retd), attributed the disturbing trend to insufficient synergy among security agencies.

“There is inadequate synergy among the security and communication agencies. That’s the core issue. You also have the National Identity Management Commission and the Nigerian Communications Commission. Why would people use phones, and you still can’t track the users? In a country where you have the NIMC and NCC, people are registered and using phones, yet they remain untraceable.

“Nigeria was not like this before. Why is kidnapping becoming a daily occurrence? It’s because people are making money from it. Now, the least kidnappers collect is N20m. There needs to be special courts for kidnappers so their prosecution doesn’t get caught in the usual judicial bureaucracy.

“We have evidence from freed victims that some people are slaughtered after being kidnapped, and the abductors sell their body parts. So, there’s no doubt about this,” he stated.

A retired Colonel, who requested anonymity, also echoed this stance, emphasising that no crime can persist in an area without the involvement of the local leadership.

He said, “Testimonies from freed kidnapped victims have revealed that sometimes when kidnappers demand a ransom, and the cash currencies they receive are marked by the bank, they know immediately once the money is handed over. Who is releasing the intelligence that the money is marked? This suggests that, from the bank to everyone connected, many people are involved in the operation.”

“The kidnappers have both international and national connections. They have suppliers who arm them. It is, in fact, a cartel. And you can only break it with a robust and well-coordinated intelligence network,” he explained.