Akpabio Exposes What Kidnappers, Terrorists Really Want — Nigeria's Future

Senator Godswill Akpabio, the Senate Leader, told reporters on Tuesday that kidnappers and terrorist groups operating across Nigeria have shifted their focus away from political party structures entirely. Their target, he stated, is the Nigerian state itself and its critical infrastructure.

Akpabio's Direct Assessment

The senator made these remarks during a security briefing at the National Assembly in Abuja. Akpabio directed the Senate to treat the threat as a national emergency rather than a partisan issue. His comments came as Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde raised separate concerns about coordinated criminal activity in the southwestern region.

Kidnappers have long operated for ransom across Nigeria's northern and southern states. However, Akpabio argued that the current wave of attacks reflects a broader strategy to destabilise the country economically and socially. Security analysts have noted that ransom payments have funded further violence in regions already struggling with poverty and unemployment.

Security Forces Under Pressure

Nigerian military units have been deployed across multiple states in recent months. The Defence Headquarters confirmed that troops killed at least 47 suspected terrorists during operations in the northeast between January and March. Despite these efforts, attacks on highways, mining sites, and communication towers have continued unchecked.

Governor Makinde of Oyo State called for increased federal support during a press conference in Ibadan last week. His administration reported 23 kidnapping incidents in the first quarter alone, a sharp rise from 14 cases during the same period in 2024. Local businesses have suffered as transport routes became too dangerous for commercial drivers.

Regional Response Diverges

State governors across Nigeria's six geopolitical zones have adopted conflicting approaches to the security crisis. Some states have invested in local vigilante groups while others rely entirely on federal forces. This patchwork response has created gaps that criminal networks exploit routinely.

The Inspector General of Police announced plans to establish 20 new tactical units across high-risk corridors by the end of June. However, critics argue that without better intelligence sharing between states, these units will struggle to contain coordinated attacks.

Development Goals Undermined

Nigeria's ambition to attract foreign investment faces serious obstacles as security conditions deteriorate. The United Nations estimated in 2024 that violence costs the Nigerian economy approximately $3.7 billion annually through lost productivity, insurance premiums, and migration of skilled workers. Roadblocks and banditry on major highways disrupt supply chains connecting Lagos, Kano, and Port Harcourt.

Infrastructure projects funded by the African Development Bank in the north-central region have experienced delays averaging eight months due to security concerns. Contractors have reported difficulties recruiting engineers willing to work in areas with active kidnapping threats.

Political Parties Remain Peripheral

Akpabio stressed that major political parties, including the All Progressives Congress and the Peoples Democratic Party, have not been primary targets of recent attacks. This distinction matters for investors seeking stability beyond election cycles. Criminal networks care about profit, not party ideology, the senator noted.

The Senate passed a motion last month calling for enhanced surveillance along Nigeria's borders with Niger and Chad. Senator Ali Ndume from Borno State warned that arms trafficking continues unchecked at unofficial crossing points. Border communities report seeing heavy weaponry they say originated from conflict zones in the Sahel.

International Partnerships Under Strain

Nigeria's reliance on foreign military support has grown as domestic capacity strains. The United States suspended defence aid in 2023 over concerns about human rights violations. Britain and France have since filled some gaps through intelligence sharing arrangements. However, Nigerian officials privately acknowledge that external assistance alone cannot resolve an insurgency rooted in unemployment and marginalisation.

The Economic Community of West African States has called for greater regional coordination. A summit scheduled for July in Abuja will bring together defence ministers from 15 member states to discuss cross-border security frameworks.

What Comes Next

The Senate is expected to vote on a supplemental security budget within the next fortnight. Akpabio has urged colleagues to approve funding for additional helicopter units and digital surveillance equipment without delay. Meanwhile, security analysts will be watching whether the rainy season, which typically slows movement in rural areas, brings any temporary respite to affected communities.