Northern Nigeria battles spike in banditry and kidnappings

Northern Nigeria is grappling with a surge in banditry and kidnappings that have raised significant concerns for state governments struggling to contain the escalating violence. The recent abduction of 75 students from the Government Day Secondary School in Zamfara State, followed by a deadly attack on a military base in the same state by armed bandits, underscore the pervasive threat posed by criminal networks operating in the region. The challenge of addressing these security threats falls largely on sub-national governments in Nigeria, who are faced with the daunting task of combating the growing menace of banditry and kidnappings. Onyekachi Adekoya, the Managing Director at PR24 Nigeria, shed light on the gravity of the situation in a recent interview with CNBC Africa. Adekoya emphasized that the issue of banditry and kidnappings is not restricted to one state but is spreading across the entire northwest corridor of Nigeria, encompassing states like Zamfara, Katsina, Sokoto, Kebbi, and Kano. He highlighted the interconnected nature of criminal networks, who exploit the vast forest belts in the region to establish well-defended camps and evade security operations by leveraging intelligence and mobility. The absence of state or county police forces in Nigeria contributes to the challenges faced by law enforcement agencies in curbing the activities of criminal groups. Adekoya pointed out that the reliance on the federal government for security enforcement, without the presence of localized policing structures, leaves gaps that are exploited by criminal elements. The dire need for a robust security architecture at the sub-national level is evident, as state governments grapple with the limitations of their security apparatus in tackling the growing threat of banditry and kidnappings. Despite efforts to attract military bases to enhance security response capabilities, the pervasive nature of the security challenges demands a more comprehensive and coordinated approach to address the root causes of the violence. Adekoya also addressed the perceived disparity in the prevalence of attacks between the northern and southern regions of Nigeria. While the north faces more pronounced challenges due to its rugged terrain, cultural differences, and historical factors, incidents of violence are increasingly reported in southern states like Ogun, Oyo, Delta, Enugu, and Benue. The geographical and cultural barriers in the north contribute to the ease with which criminal groups operate, taking advantage of local support networks and the rugged landscape to evade law enforcement agencies. Adekoya noted that the resistance to criminal activities in the southern regions is partially attributed to cultural factors and the ability of communities to mobilize against external threats, providing some level of resilience against the escalating violence. As the security crisis continues to unfold in Nigeria, state governments are confronted with the urgent need to bolster their security infrastructure and collaborate effectively with federal authorities to address the complex security challenges plaguing the nation. The interplay of geographical, cultural, and institutional factors underscores the multifaceted nature of the banditry and kidnapping crisis, necessitating a holistic and coordinated response to safeguard the lives and livelihoods at risk in Nigeria's turbulent security landscape.