By Abu Dalisu l May 30, 2026
The apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has strongly criticised the administration of President Bola Tinubu over what it described as an alarming surge in kidnappings and insecurity across Nigeria, questioning whether the country is gradually becoming a “ransom economy.
In a statement issued on Saturday, the group expressed deep concern over the growing wave of abductions for ransom affecting communities across the country, arguing that the worsening security situation has left many Nigerians living in fear. Ohanaeze said the frequency of kidnappings has reached disturbing levels despite repeated government assurances that security challenges are being addressed.
The organisation lamented that criminals now appear to operate with increasing boldness, targeting travellers, students, traditional rulers, religious leaders and entire communities. According to the group, the continued rise in abductions has created an environment where ransom payments have become a recurring feature of daily life in many parts of the country.
“Are we running a ransom economy?” Ohanaeze reportedly asked while condemning the growing commercialization of kidnapping and the apparent inability of authorities to decisively halt the trend.
The group also renewed its call for the release of detained Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) leader, Nnamdi Kanu, arguing that his continued detention has failed to resolve tensions in the South-East and has instead contributed to ongoing instability in the region.
Ohanaeze maintained that addressing insecurity requires a broader strategy that includes dialogue, justice and stronger protection for citizens. The organisation urged the Federal Government to take urgent steps to restore public confidence in the nation's security architecture.
The statement comes amid a series of high-profile kidnappings and attacks reported across several states in recent months. Security incidents involving students, traditional rulers, commuters, clergy and rural communities have continued to dominate national headlines, fueling concerns about the effectiveness of current security measures.
Human rights groups and civil society organisations have similarly raised concerns about the persistence of kidnappings for ransom, warning that the trend is not only threatening lives but also undermining economic activities and public trust in government institutions.
While the Federal Government has repeatedly stated that military and security operations are producing results in the fight against banditry, terrorism and kidnapping, critics argue that many communities continue to experience deadly attacks and abductions despite these assurances.
Political analysts say Ohanaeze’s latest intervention reflects growing frustration among various groups over the country's security challenges, particularly as concerns mount over the human and economic costs of widespread kidnapping.
As public pressure increases, many Nigerians are demanding stronger intelligence gathering, improved policing, better-equipped security agencies and more effective prosecution of kidnapping syndicates to reverse what has become one of the nation’s most pressing security threats.