The Democratic Leadership Alliance (DLA) has issued a 14-day ultimatum to President Bola Tinubu and the Federal Government to roll out practical measures aimed at curbing the growing wave of kidnappings across the country.
The opposition party said the worsening security situation has left many Nigerians living in fear, while criminal gangs continue to operate in several parts of the country with little resistance.
In a statement signed by its Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Judith Aguenu, the party described kidnapping as a national emergency that is affecting lives, businesses and economic activities.
According to the DLA, recent steps taken by the Federal Government have not given citizens enough confidence that the crisis is being addressed with the urgency it deserves.
“The recent decision of the Federal Government to recruit 1,000 forest guards as part of its response to insecurity has done little to reassure Nigerians that the administration fully understands the magnitude of the kidnapping crisis currently threatening lives, livelihoods, and national stability,” the statement said.
The party noted that reports of abductions have become frequent across the country, with victims being taken from highways, homes, schools, farms, places of worship and rural communities.
“Today, millions of Nigerians live in fear. Hardly a day passes without reports of citizens being abducted from highways, homes, schools, farms, places of worship, and communities. The fear of kidnapping has become a major obstacle to freedom of movement, economic activities, agricultural production, and social development,” it stated.
The DLA argued that the security challenge is taking a heavy toll on farming communities, as many farmers are abandoning their farmlands due to fear of attacks. It warned that the development could further worsen food insecurity and deepen the country’s economic hardship.
The opposition party also claimed that several of its members and supporters across different states have been affected by the deteriorating security situation.
“Farmers are abandoning their farms, businesses are relocating, families are living under constant fear, and communities are increasingly vulnerable to criminal elements,” the statement added.
The party said solving the kidnapping crisis requires more than the deployment of security personnel. It called on the government to address the factors fueling criminal activities, including poverty, unemployment and weak intelligence gathering.
“We maintain that the solution to kidnapping cannot be limited to security deployments alone. Government must address the economic conditions that fuel criminality, strengthen intelligence gathering, tackle corruption within public institutions, improve security coordination, deploy modern surveillance technology, and ensure swift prosecution of criminal offenders and their sponsors,” the statement said.
The DLA further urged President Tinubu to formally declare the kidnapping crisis a national emergency and coordinate stronger actions to reverse the trend.
“We therefore call on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to declare the kidnapping epidemic a national emergency and immediately activate stronger policies and coordinated actions capable of reversing the current trend,” it stated.
The party subsequently gave the Federal Government 14 days to present and begin implementing measurable steps to reduce kidnappings and restore confidence in the nation’s security architecture.
“Accordingly, the Democratic Leadership Alliance hereby issues a 14-day notice to the Federal Government to unveil and commence the implementation of practical and measurable actions aimed specifically at reducing kidnapping and restoring public confidence in the nation’s security architecture.”
It warned that failure to make meaningful progress within the period could force the party to adopt other democratic and legal options to draw attention to the issue.
“Failure to demonstrate meaningful progress within this period will compel the Party to pursue lawful democratic measures, including public advocacy, strategic engagement with national and international stakeholders, and legal actions where necessary to draw attention to the plight of Nigerians and the urgent need for government intervention,” the statement added.
The DLA insisted that the protection of lives and property remains the constitutional responsibility of government and urged authorities to act swiftly to end the growing insecurity.
“Nigeria cannot continue on this dangerous path. The protection of lives and property remains the primary responsibility of government, and Nigerians deserve to live without fear of abduction, ransom demands, or violent criminal attacks,” the party said.
