Kidnapping

By Anwar Usman

The troops of Operation Whirl Stroke have thwarted a kidnapping attempt along the Otukpo–Enugu expressway in Benue State.

The troops, however, succeeded in rescuing 24 passengers who were traveling from Jos, Plateau State, to Ibadan in Oyo State on Monday night.

Lieutenant Ahmad Zubairu, the acting information officer of OPWS, made this known in a statement released on Tuesday and made available to journalists in Makurdi early hours of Wednesday.

According to the statement, the incident occurred on 22 December 2025 following a distress call, prompting troops on routine patrol to mobilise to the Amoda axis in Ohimini Local Government Area of the state.

The statement read in parts, “The armed criminals had emerged from the bush and briefly occupied an existing checkpoint. The assailants subsequently stopped two 18-seater commercial buses travelling from Jos, Plateau State, to Ibadan, Oyo State, and attempted to abduct all passengers.

“However, the timely intervention of troops of Operation WHIRL STROKE led to a firefight that compelled the kidnappers to abandon their victims and flee into the bush.”

Zubairu said that 15 passengers were initially rescued and handed over to the Nigerian Police Division, Otukpo, while six adults and four minors were declared missing.

He added that subsequent operations led to the rescue of an additional five adults and all four minors, who are now in custody of the Police Area Command, Otukpo, with search efforts ongoing to locate the remaining missing passenger.

The Force Commander Joint Task Force Operation Whirl Stroke, Major General Moses Gara, commended the troops for their prompt response and professionalism.

Gen. Gara reaffirmed the troops’ unwavering commitment to protecting lives and property within its area of responsibility through sustained offensive operations, intelligence-led patrols, and coordinated engagements with sister security agencies.

By Uzair Adam

Kidnappers operating across Nigeria collected at least N2.57 billion in ransom payments between July 2024 and June 2025, according to a new report released by SBM Intelligence.

The report, titled “The Year Ahead at an Inflection Point” and published on December 19, 2025, examined key political and economic trends shaping Africa in 2025. It revealed that while kidnappers demanded an estimated N48 billion within the 12-month period, only a small fraction of that amount was eventually paid by victims and their families.

SBM Intelligence noted that kidnapping in Nigeria has increasingly become a well-organised, profit-oriented enterprise, flourishing amid weak governance structures, expansive ungoverned rural areas and deteriorating security conditions in several regions of the country.

According to the findings, at least 4,722 people were abducted in 997 kidnapping incidents during the period under review, while no fewer than 762 people lost their lives in attacks linked to banditry and related criminal violence.

Although ransom demands rose sharply in naira terms, the report observed that the actual earnings of kidnappers remained relatively modest when converted to dollars due to the depreciation of the naira. The N2.57 billion paid translates to approximately $1.66 million, only slightly higher than the $1.13 million equivalent of N653.7 million collected in 2022.

The Northwest emerged as the epicentre of kidnapping activities, accounting for 425 incidents, representing 42.6 per cent of cases nationwide. The region also recorded 2,938 victims, amounting to 62.2 per cent of all abducted persons across the country.

Zamfara State recorded the highest number of victims at 1,203, followed by Kaduna and Katsina States. SBM Intelligence attributed the prevalence of kidnappings in the region to vast, poorly governed rural communities and the presence of entrenched bandit networks capable of carrying out large-scale operations with minimal resistance.

In contrast, the Southwest recorded the lowest level of kidnapping activity, accounting for just 5.3 per cent of incidents and 3 per cent of victims during the same period.

The report further highlighted a rise in mass abductions, defined as incidents involving more than five victims, which accounted for about 23 per cent of all recorded cases and were largely concentrated in northern states. It noted that entire communities were sometimes targeted, with abducted persons reportedly forced to work on farms and mining sites controlled by criminal groups.

Beyond kidnapping, SBM Intelligence drew attention to escalating violence across several parts of the country in 2025. In the Northcentral region, attacks linked to armed herders persisted through March, with Benue State particularly affected. A single attack in Katsina-Ala Local Government Area on March 7 reportedly claimed 15 lives.

Zamfara State also experienced repeated deadly incidents, including an attack in Tsafe Local Government Area on March 13 that left 40 people dead, alongside mass abductions in Maru Local Government Area on the same day.

April and May were identified as some of the deadliest months of the year, with attacks in Plateau and Benue States killing more than 100 people combined, while mass abductions involving up to 100 victims were recorded in Zamfara, Katsina, Kebbi and Sokoto States.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

The 24 schoolgirls abducted from the Government Girls Secondary School in Maga, Kebbi State, have been rescued and have regained their freedom.

The students were taken from their school in a recent attack that sparked widespread condemnation and concern.

Authorities have confirmed the successful rescue operation, though specific details regarding the operation or the current condition of the girls have not yet been fully disclosed.

This news brings a wave of relief to the families and the local community, who had been anxiously awaiting their return.

Further details are expected as the situation develops.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Bauchi State Government has ordered the immediate closure of all schools across the state due to rising security challenges.

The directive affects primary, secondary and tertiary institutions. It also covers Federal Government-owned schools and private schools operating within the state.

In a public announcement signed by the Information and Public Relations Officer of the Ministry of Education, Jalaludeen Usman, the government said: “The Bauchi State Government wishes to notify the general public that all primary, secondary, and tertiary institutions—including Federal Government-owned schools and private schools—are hereby closed with immediate effect.”

The statement explained that the decision was not taken lightly. It said:“This decision, though difficult, was taken by the Government of Bauchi State after extensive consultations and in response to overwhelming security concerns affecting the safety of students, teachers, and school communities across the state.”

He acknowledged the disruption the closure may cause. It added:“The government is fully aware of the inconvenience this may cause. However, the protection of our children remains our highest moral responsibility. Every student in Bauchi State deserves to learn in an environment that is safe, stable, and free of fear.”

Parents, guardians, school owners and other stakeholders were urged not to panic. The statement said:“We therefore call on parents, guardians, school proprietors, and all concerned stakeholders not to panic, but to remain calm and cooperative. The government is working closely with security agencies to address the concerns swiftly and comprehensively, ensuring that normal academic activities resume as soon as it is safe to do so.”

The government also appealed to residents to stay alert and support security efforts. It stated:“If you see something, say something. Timely information from the public is crucial in safeguarding our communities.”

It assured the public that updates will be provided as the situation develops.

By Uzair Adam

Nigeria lost an estimated N2.2 trillion to ransom payments between May 2023 and April 2024 — an amount higher than the country’s 2024 defence budget — according to the 8th Nigeria SDG 16 Shadow Report released by the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) and Transparency International (TI) Nigeria.

The report, titled “Leaving No One Behind: Anti-Corruption, Right to Information, and Justice for All,” was unveiled during a side event at the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Tuesday.

At the launch, CISLAC’s Executive Director and Head of TI Nigeria, Comrade Auwal Ibrahim Musa (Rafsanjani), warned that the country is “trapped in a dangerous cycle of corruption, weak institutions, and worsening insecurity,” which could derail its chances of meeting the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals.

He described kidnapping for ransom as fully “commercialised,” revealing that more than 2.23 million incidents were recorded within the one-year period, with payments amounting to N2.2 trillion — about US $1.4 billion.

Rafsanjani noted that this figure surpasses Nigeria’s entire 2024 defence allocation, stressing that insecurity has been effectively “privatised” at the cost of national stability.

He also linked governance failures to political impunity, pointing out that many leaders routinely ignore constitutional requirements to declare their assets before the Code of Conduct Bureau.

According to him, such disregard erodes public trust and undermines anti-corruption efforts, while some politicians divert taxpayers’ money to luxury properties in Nigeria and abroad, fueling illicit financial flows.

The report further raised alarm over opaque asset recovery processes, allegations against judicial figures, irregularities in the electoral commission, and weak vetting of political appointees — warning that democratic institutions are increasingly viewed as compromised.

Examples cited include the arrest of Katsina whistleblower Mubarak Bello after he exposed police payroll fraud, and a UK Tribunal ruling against Chief Mike Ozekhome and his son in a case involving a property transfer linked to General Jeremiah Useni.

It also referenced allegations of luxury property purchases in the United States linked to Nigeria’s FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike.

On fiscal transparency, the report highlighted Nigeria’s poor scores in the 2024 Open Budget Survey (31/100) and Freedom of Information Act compliance (11.4%), while noting that the Open Treasury Portal has become inactive.

It also identified procurement fraud, vote-buying, campaign finance violations, and repression of civic space as persisting threats.

Rafsanjani described the report as both “a mirror and a roadmap,” stressing that Nigeria risks missing the 2030 goals not because of weak laws but due to a lack of political will.

He called for stronger institutions, an open civic space, and true respect for the rule of law to ensure that “no one is left behind.”

By Haroon Aremu Abiodun

“Any country where lawmaking is more lucrative than law enforcement, there must be insecurity.”

That was the piercing submission of veteran Nollywood actor Kanayo O. Kanayo in a podcast interview. This quote still lingers in my mind like a haunting prophecy. Sadly, Nigeria appears to be a textbook example of that paradox.

This raises a chilling question: can we ever be safe in a nation where those crafting the laws live like kings, while those enforcing them die like pawns?

The roads tremble with fear, and villages sleep with one eye open. From Abuja to Zamfara, from the creeks of the Delta to Anambra, to the rocky hills of Birnin Gwari, the word “insecurity” has become a national refrain. 

In whispered conversations and on trending hashtags, Nigerians continue to ask: Can banditry, kidnapping, and terrorism ever truly end in Nigeria?

While President Bola Ahmed Tinubu continues to pledge security reforms, and National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu issues strategic statements, the reality on the ground often contradicts this. The Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, may be leading an army of patriots. Still, their valour is constantly undermined by systemic inequality, in which the pen is paid more than the gun.

I Witnessed the Truth

In early June, I attended a deeply insightful citizenship engagement forum hosted by Voice of Nigeria (VON). Dignitaries, including the Minister of Information, NSA Ribadu, the Chief of Defence Staff, and other notable figures,were present. But one story shared by the Chief of Defence Staff froze the air.

He recalled a young bandit who surrendered. The military, adopting a “soft approach,” chose not to brutalise him but instead treated him humanely. He was given food, a warm bath, and, for the first time in his life, a mattress.

This wasn’t just about physical comfort. It was symbolic. The boy, barely old enough to vote, said he had never lain on a mattress before. That was his first taste of civilisation, and it came not from a school or community, but from an army barracks. The boy had joined a group of killers not out of hatred, but out of hopelessness.

The Root of the Rot: 3Es

With what the Chief of Defence Staff said, I was able to conclude that part of the root of Nigeria’s security crisis lies in the absence of the “3Es”: Education, Exposure, and Enlightenment. These are not luxuries; they are necessities. And in the North, where banditry has gained a more frightening foothold, their absence is glaring.

It is time for Northern governors to rise beyond rhetoric. The federal government cannot win this war alone. State leaders must begin by reforming their education systems, investing in enlightenment campaigns, and introducing programs that truly expose their youth to life beyond the confines of their communities. Kano State has led the way in propagating and championing this initiative among the northern states, but efforts should be intensified.

Can we save Nigeria? Yes, but not with a centralised, top-down approach. What we need is collaborative security. Community policing must be revived with village chiefs and family heads forming the first line of surveillance.

Security consciousness must be made more crucial and integrated into school curricula and public messaging. Employment generation must become more than a campaign slogan. A graduate left idle is one WhatsApp message away from recruitment into darkness.

“If community policing is fully implemented, it will become far easier to identify and expose those secretly sponsoring or benefiting from terrorism right from the grassroots. Local vigilance, trust networks, and community-driven intelligence can expose hidden collaborators who often conceal their activities behind political or economic influence. Such a system not only strengthens national security but also empowers citizens to take active ownership of their safety and future.”

This is to say, the fight against terror will not be won by guns alone, but by communities standing as the first line of defence

The Role of Institutions

The Ministry of Education and the National Orientation Agency (NOA) must now take centre stage. It is no longer enough to teach arithmetic and grammar; we must now teach security literacy. The young must understand the real consequences of crime. They must be exposed to alternatives.

This encompasses school tours, street theatre, online campaigns, community mentorship, and genuine partnerships between public and private stakeholders.

There is hope. There are patriots in uniform. There are children yet untouched by corruption. There are teachers still driven by conscience. However, all their efforts will be for nothing if lawmakers continue to earn more than those who risk their lives.

The EFCC may chase funds across Iceland and Dubai. The DSS may foil plots in Lagos and Maiduguri. However, until we address the imbalance and make justice more rewarding than crime, we will remain trapped in this cycle.

Let us not wait until another child lies on a mattress in a military cell to realise what he has never had.

Let that mattress be our wake-up call.

So, to President Tinubu, to the NSA Ribadu, to the Defence Chief, and to every governor who still believes in this country: The war will not be won on the battlefield alone; it will be won in the classroom, in the family compound, in the village square, and in the heart of every Nigerian.

Before we talk about weapons, let’s talk about mattresses.

Haroon Aremu Abiodun, An Author, public Affairs Analyst, PRNigeria fellow and wrote in via exponentumera@gmail.com.

By Muhammad Abubakar

At least 1,111 Nigerians were killed and 276 abducted by gunmen and other non-state actors across the country in June 2025, according to a new report by Beacon Security and Intelligence Limited.

The chilling figures are contained in the company’s monthly security dossier, which tracks violence and criminal activity nationwide. Despite the high numbers, the report notes that June witnessed a “notable de-escalation” in security breaches compared to May, suggesting a slight dip in the frequency or intensity of attacks.

While the report did not provide a full regional breakdown, sources familiar with the data say many of the killings occurred in the North West and North Central zones, where banditry and communal violence remain rampant. Parts of the South East also continue to grapple with targeted killings and kidnappings by separatist-linked armed groups.

The 276 abductions show the persistent threat of kidnapping-for-ransom, which has plagued Nigeria for years, affecting schoolchildren, commuters, and rural dwellers alike.

Security analysts say the figures, though slightly improved from previous months, still reflect a deepening crisis. They have called for more coordinated action by federal and state authorities to strengthen local intelligence, improve response times, and hold perpetrators accountable.

The government has yet to respond to the latest statistics, but critics argue that repeated assurances of improved security have not translated into meaningful safety for the average Nigerian.

By Uzair Adam

A 65-year-old woman, Talatu Ali, has been abducted from the Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital Dawanau in Dawakin Tofa Local Government Area of Kano State.

The Daily Reality gathered that the incident happened while she was waiting for a medical consultation at the facility.

Talatu was brought to the hospital on February 19, 2025, by her son, Nasiru Aliyu, and her cousin, Aliyu Garba.

However, while on the queue for consultation, they suddenly realized she was no longer there.

Efforts to locate her within the hospital premises were unsuccessful, leading the family to report the matter at the Dawanau Divisional Police Headquarters.

Two days later, on February 21, at around 7:00 a.m., Aliyu received a phone call from an unknown number informing him that the woman was in their custody.

The Kano State Police Command has confirmed the incident.

Although Kano has remained relatively peaceful compared to other states in the North West, cases of abductions continue to be recorded in various parts of the country despite ongoing efforts to curb the menace.

By Uzair Adam 

The Lagos State Police Command has exposed a new kidnapping tactic referred to as “Constructive Kidnapping,” where unsuspecting women are deceived by individuals posing as online friends or lovers.  

The Daily Reality gathered that this disturbing trend has led to the rescue of 16 women across the state. 

Additionally, the command intervened in a separate incident involving a 15-year-old girl who allegedly conspired with her boyfriend to fake her own abduction to extort ransom from her parents.  

Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, CP Olawale Ishola, provided insights into these cases during a briefing on the command’s operations between September 2024 and January 2025. 

He highlighted the cunning nature of the perpetrators, who establish trust online before luring their victims to Lagos with offers of money and luxury accommodations.  

The command reiterated its commitment to combating such crimes and advised the public to exercise caution when interacting with strangers online.

By Anwar Usman

The Katsina State Police Command has announced the successful disruption of a kidnapping attempt and rescue of 10 victims.

The command’s Public Relations Officer, ASP Abubakar Sadiq, disclosed this in a statement signed and made available to journalists on Wednesday.

According to the statement: “On 24 December 2024, at about 20:30 hrs, some suspected armed bandits, wielding dangerous weapons and shooting sporadically, attacked a commercial vehicle at Kwanar Makera along the Katsina–Magama Jibia road in Jibia Local Government Area, Katsina State, in an attempt to kidnap ten (10) occupants of the vehicle.

“Upon receiving the distress call, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Jibia swiftly led a team of operatives to the scene. The team engaged the bandits in a gun duel, successfully thwarted the kidnapping attempt, and rescued all ten ten victims.

“Four among the rescued victims sustained gunshot injuries as a result of the attack and were rushed to the hospital for urgent medical attention. Sadly, two of the victims succumbed to their injuries while receiving treatment.

“Efforts are still ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspects as the investigation continues.

“The Commissioner of Police, Katsina State Command, CP Aliyu Abubakar Musa, psc(+), applaud the officers for their exceptional display of gallantry and dedication to duty. Furthermore, the Commissioner urged the members of the public to provide useful information on suspected criminal activities to the nearest police station for prompt and decisive action.”