Nasarawa State Governor, Abdullahi Sule, has cautioned Nigerians against framing kidnapping as a problem unique to any one part of the country, insisting the security challenge has evolved into a nationwide crisis demanding collective action.
Speaking during an appearance on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics, the governor pushed back against the popular perception that kidnapping originated in northern Nigeria. He argued that long before abductions became widespread in the North, the crime had already taken firm root in the oil-rich southern states.
Sule recalled that between the early and late 2000s, kidnapping of oil workers—both expatriates and Nigerians—was a frequent occurrence in the Niger Delta, driven primarily by financial motives. According to him, oil companies were often forced to pay ransoms as militants targeted their staff almost daily. He recounted his own industry experience, noting incidents involving firms such as Tetra Tech, whose employees were abducted under circumstances that discouraged them from returning to the country.
The governor also disclosed that a recently held meeting of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum was marked by tension and frustration, reflecting deep fears over the rising wave of insecurity across the country. He described the session as emotionally charged, with governors raising their voices, expressing anger, and challenging one another on perceived failures in their respective states.
“There was real agitation in that room,” Sule said. “If we weren’t concerned, we wouldn’t be speaking to ourselves with that level of urgency.”
Sule applauded efforts by past administrations—especially during the Goodluck Jonathan era—where negotiations and dialogues helped reduce kidnapping linked to militancy in the South. However, he warned that complacency allowed the crime to eventually spread to the northern states, where it has now become entrenched.
He urged Nigerians to resist the temptation to regionalise the issue, arguing that such divisions only embolden criminal groups.
“Kidnapping moved from the South to the North, and today it affects everyone,” he said. “This is a national challenge, and the only way forward is for all regions to work together.”
Despite the grim outlook, the governor expressed confidence that the situation is not insurmountable and would ultimately be brought under control through sustained collaboration and political will.
