Why The Fight Against Kidnapping Must Remain Nigeria's Topmost Priority

**Nigeria is currently in the throes of kidnapping. In the villages, cities and suburbs, there's fear of kidnapping everywhere. There are many kidnap cases which are not known to the media. Friends and relations of kidnapped victims are daily weeping over their relations languishing in the dens of kidnappers. Many are being made to borrow huge money to pay for ransom which will take them years to pay back. How did we get here? What actually went wrong with Nigeria? Who did Nigeria offend? UCHE OKPORIE writes on the pains and challenges of kidnapping in Nigeria and what the government needs to do very urgently **

One of the biggest problems facing Nigeria today is kidnapping. Kidnapping has gradually turned into a lucrative business for hoodlums in Nigeria. It is no longer something we hear once in a while. Almost everyday, we hear of heartbreaking stories of people being kidnapped in different parts of the country. As it is now, there's fear every where. Nobody knows who will be the next victim of this horrendous crime.

Sometimes it's a farmer. Sometimes it's a student. Sometimes it's a businessman. At other times, it's even people who are struggling to feed and clothe themselves and their families. This is pathetic.

What surprises me most is that kidnappers no longer care about who they kidnap. In the past, many people believed that criminals only targeted rich people. But today, that is no longer the case.

These people can kidnap anybody. They can kidnap a farmer working on his father's land. They can kidnap a trader going to the market. They can kidnap somebody who is already suffering and looking for daily bread. To them, once they see an opportunity to make money, they do not care about the person's condition, political status or economic well-being.

Sometimes I sit down and ask myself a simple question. What exactly is happening in Nigeria? How did we get to this point? How did human life become so cheap? How did we reach a stage where people can wake up in the morning and decide to make money from the pain and tears of innocent people? Many of these criminal groups claim that they are fighting for one thing or another. Some say they are neglected. Some say the government is not listening to them. Some say they are fighting for their rights.

But my question is always: if your problem is with the government, why are you attacking innocent citizens? If your anger is against those in power, why are you kidnapping ordinary people who are also suffering from the same problems? The average Nigerian is already facing hardship.

Prices of goods are high. Costs of transportation is skyrocketing. Feeding is difficult. Many people wake up every morning not knowing where their next meal will come from. Yet these same people are the ones becoming victims of kidnapping. Somebody who is struggling to survive can suddenly find himself in the hands of criminals demanding millions of naira.

This does not make sense. You are suffering, another person is also suffering, yet instead of looking for a better way to survive, you decide to kidnap that same person. What kind of justice is that? What kind of struggle is that? The innocent people being kidnapped are not the people responsible for corruption. They are not the people making government policies. They are not the people controlling the country's resources. They are just ordinary citizens trying to survive.

I remember hearing stories from victims who were released from kidnappers' dens. Some of the stories were heartbreaking. They spoke about harsh treatments, hunger, fear and uncertainty. Families were forced to run from one place to another searching for money to pay ransom.

Some sold their property. Some borrowed so much money. Some entered debt that may take years to repay. All because they wanted to save the life of someone they love.

The painful thing is that even after paying ransom, there is no guarantee of safety. Some families still live in fear. Some victims never fully recover from the trauma. The emotional wounds remain long after they return home.

What worries me most is the future. If nothing serious is done about this problem, what kind of country are we leaving for the next generation? How can young people concentrate in education when insecurity is everywhere? How can farmers produce food when they are afraid to go to their farms? How can businesses grow when investors are scared of insecurity?

The truth is that insecurity affects everybody. It affects the economy. It affects education. It affects agriculture. It affects healthcare. It affects tourism. It affects national development. A country cannot move forward when its citizens are living in fear.

Personally, I find it difficult to advise somebody from another country to come and settle in Nigeria without first talking about security concerns. Nigeria is a beautiful country with wonderful people, but the insecurity problem has damaged our image in many ways. Many foreigners hear about kidnappings and become afraid. Even Nigerians living abroad sometimes worry whenever their relatives are travelling within the country.

Despite all these challenges, I still believe Nigeria can become better. I believe the government, security agencies, community leaders and citizens all have important roles to play. Criminals must know that crime does not pay. Communities must cooperate with security agencies. Information sharing must improve. Most importantly, innocent people must be protected.

At this point, many Nigerians believe that it is only God's protection that is keeping them safe. People pray before travelling. People pray before going to work. People pray before visiting their villages.

This shows how serious the situation has become. My opinion is simple. Kidnapping has become a dangerous business in Nigeria, and it is destroying lives, families and communities. It is making people afraid in their own country.

No nation can truly develop under this kind of fear. Nigeria belongs to all of us, and every citizen deserves to live freely without constantly worrying about being kidnapped. I hope the day will come when Nigerians can travel, work and live in peace without fear.

Until then, the fight against kidnapping must remain one of the country's highest priorities.