THE BANDITS STRANGLEHOLD: HOW NIGERIA’S FAILURE TO SECURE ITS PEOPLE EMPOWERS TERRORISTS AND IMPLICATES THE STATE ITSELF.

By George Omagbemi Sylvester | Published by saharaweeklyng.com

A Nation Held Hostage, When Criminals Dictate Terms of Survival, What Happens to Sovereignty?

On the bitter cusp of 2026, a grim reality has descended upon the heart of Nigeria’s middle belt (specifically Kwara State’s South Senatorial District) where armed bandits have not only asserted their dominance but brazenly dictated terms that should chill any sane observer to the bone. Over twenty-two innocent citizens are currently being held hostage across several rural communities and their captors have issued a chilling ultimatum: “PAY AN ASTRONOMICAL ₦400 MILLION, DELIVER FOOD, DRINKS AND OTHER SUPPLIES OR THE CAPTIVES WILL NOT WALK FREE.”

Think about that for a moment: criminals (self-styled bandits) establishing economic demands on behalf of human freedom, goods and the sustenance of desperate families. This is not rural barter or a local dispute. This is extortion on an industrial scale which is been carried out not by a sovereign power of state but by men with guns hiding in forests and hills.

A Crime Syndicate Operating in Broad Daylight.

The incident has left families, elders and local leaders in agonizing limbo. A traditional ruler, Oba Simeon Olanipekun of Ile-Ere district, his son and a Youth Corps member were among those seized in December 2025 and are still in captivity. Observers report that these criminals migrated from areas where security presences were stronger to communities with little or no military or police infrastructure, highlighting the glaring holes in Nigeria’s security architecture.

Local communities such as Adanla, Isapa, Isanlu-Isin, and Owa-Onire (places once known for farming, trade and family life) are now theaters of terror. These kidnappers are no longer isolated marauders; they are organized, emboldened and adaptive, shifting operations to areas of least resistance and most vulnerability.

The Systemic Failure of the Security State.

Where, one must ask with righteous fury, is the Nigerian government while this unraveling disaster continues? How can a nation that claims sovereignty and constitutional duty to protect lives and property sit idle while armed bandits determine ransom for human freedom?

This is not an anomaly. This is not a rare incident. Nigeria is experiencing a nationwide epidemic of insecurity, from schoolchildren abducted in the Northwest to communities ravaged by bandits and terrorists demanding multimillion-naira ransoms.

According to research, between July 2022 and June 2023 alone, 3,620 kidnapping incidents across the country resulted in ransom demands totaling at least ₦5 billion, with verified payouts in the hundreds of millions. This demonstrates not only the scale of the problem but the systemic normalization of ransom as a revenue stream for criminals.

Let that sink in: criminal enterprises are effectively shaping economic transactions that should be under the sovereign domain of the state. It is a reality that no responsible government should tolerate and YET HERE WE ARE.

The Brutal Logic of Kidnap for Ransom.

These kidnappings are not isolated blips; they erode the very fabric of society. Land becomes unsafe. Farms lie fallow. Education grinds to a halt. Markets shrink. Life itself becomes a negotiable commodity.

The terrains where these bands operate (dense forests, hills, and porous borders) indeed give these criminals a tactical advantage. This is not just geography; it is a reflection of governance abandonment. When the state abandons its highways, villages and forests to lawlessness, it is no wonder that bandits fill the vacuum.

Professor Alex Egwu, a renowned Nigerian security expert, once stated:

“Security is the cornerstone of every functioning society. Without it, livelihoods wither, economies fail and the social contract between the people and the state collapses.”

Today, that collapse is evident in the cries of Kwara families who have watched their loved ones taken with impunity, while the state appears still.

The Myth of Government Commitment.

Officials from both the federal government and the Kwara State Government have spoken of efforts to deploy forest guards, engage in joint patrols and coordinate security agencies. While these statements sound reassuring on paper, they have done little to dislodge the terror networks or bring victims home.

Critics argue that these measures are toothless gestures, designed more for public relations than decisive action. Lieutenant-General Chukwuma Okeke (Rtd.), a former military strategist, warned:

“When security strategies are reactive instead of proactive and lack sustained intelligence and local engagement, they become ceremonial instead of effective.”

And that is precisely what we are witnessing: a ceremonial response to a crisis that requires strategic, coordinated military and civil action.

The Question of Complicity.

As the ransom demands grow larger and the captors bolder, a troubling question emerges: Has the Nigerian government implicitly tolerated banditry? At what point does tolerance become complicity? When criminals can call the shots, demand ransom, and flaunt their activities without fear of immediate arrest or neutralization, is the state still governing?

Some analysts argue that military and political neglect, corruption and internal fractures within Nigerian security agencies have created an environment where kidnappers operate with confidence. This is not mere speculation, it is the observable consequence of decades of underinvestment in security, poor leadership and political distractions.

The Human Toll and National Impact.

The impact of this insecurity moves beyond Kwara. Farmers abandon crops. Children fear school. Entire towns warn travellers away. Insurance markets collapse. Investments dry up. Confidence in public institutions plummets.

As economist Dr. Funmi Olajide once observed:

“Insecurity is not just a security issue, it is an economic and social catastrophe that stifles growth and destroys potential.”

Nigeria (a nation with vast human and natural resources) should be feeding not only itself but exporting to the world. Instead, it imports food it could grow, as farmers are too afraid to till their lands due to bandit threats. The ransom economy feeds criminal networks and starves legitimate economic growth.

The Time for Half-Measures Has Passed.

Where on Earth does a government sit still and allow common bandits to make demands on its people as though they were sovereign powers? The Nigerian state must be reminded (forcefully) that security is not optional but foundational.

The Nigerian Constitution’s first obligation is the safety and security of its citizens. To allow bandits to hold communities for ransom is to abdicate that responsibility.

President Theodore Roosevelt once said:

“The first duty of government is to protect the lives, liberty and property of the people.”

TODAY, THAT DUTY STANDS UNFULFILLED IN KWARA AND ACROSS NIGERIA.

Summative Insight: A Nation at a Crossroads.

Nigeria is at a crossroads. It can continue with reactive, minimal interventions that yield negligible results and or it can confront this crisis head-on with strategic military action, robust community intelligence networks, genuine political will and zero tolerance for ransom economies.

The people of Kwara deserve more than platitudes. They deserve action. They deserve a state that secures its borders, protects its citizens and confronts criminality wherever it lurks and without hesitation, without equivocation, without delay.

The world is watching. Nigeria itself cannot afford to look away any longer.

SOWEMIMO DAVID UNLEASHES SMART SCALING 1.0: A GAME-CHANGER FOR STUDENT LEADERS AND ENTREPRENEURS

Abuja, Nigeria – Renowned entrepreneur and leadership expert, Sowemimo David, is set to launch Smart Scaling 1.0, a revolutionary campus symposium designed to equip students with practical tools and strategies in leadership, entrepreneurship, and personal growth. The symposium , starting from the University of Abuja, aims to cultivate a generation of purpose-driven leaders and young entrepreneurs who are prepared to scale their ideas and influence their communities.

Sowemimo David, a visionary leader, affectionately known as “the Founder”, embodies innovation, leadership, and vision as the President of the Royal Citizens Cooperative. With a diverse portfolio of successful ventures including Gloryville Foods, FarmPrices, Farm-2-Table, and Farm Foods, David has established himself as a trailblazer in the agricultural and food industries.

A graduate of Bowen University Iwo with a Bachelor’s degree, David’s passion for entrepreneurship and agriculture has driven him to pursue continuous learning, currently pursuing an MBA. Beyond his academic achievements, David is renowned as a life coach, conference speaker, and social thought leader, inspiring many with his wisdom and insight.

Smart Scaling 1.0 is a meticulously curated program that combines insightful keynote sessions, interactive workshops, mentorship, and networking opportunities to provide students with a comprehensive learning experience. The event is tailored for undergraduate students, aspiring young entrepreneurs, and campus leaders seeking to develop leadership skills, an entrepreneurial mindset, and personal growth strategies.

The Core Objecjives is to

– *Build Leadership Capacity*: Equip students with confidence, decision-making skills, and leadership values to positively influence their campus and beyond.

– *Promote Entrepreneurial Thinking*: Provide practical frameworks and strategies to identify opportunities, start ventures, and scale ideas sustainably.

– *Drive Personal Growth & Purpose*: Help students discover their strengths, adopt a growth mindset, and set actionable goals.

*WHAT TO EXPECT*

– *Keynote Sessions*: Insightful talks from Sowemimo David covering leadership, entrepreneurship, and personal development.

– *Interactive Workshops*: Hands-on sessions offering practical guidance in leadership, business ideation, and financial management.

– *Mentorship & Q&A*: Opportunities for participants to ask questions and receive personalized advice from industry experts.

– *Entertainment Sessions*: Engaging performances and music to keep energy high and foster a fun, interactive atmosphere.

– *Networking Sessions*: Connections with peers, mentors, and campus leaders to encourage collaboration, idea-sharing, and community-building.

*EXPECTED OUTCOMES*

By the end of Smart Scaling 1.0, students will:

– Gain actionable strategies to develop leadership and entrepreneurial skills through workshops and keynote insights.

– Receive practical guidance on personal growth, goal-setting, and financial management.

– Be motivated and equipped to take part in the Smart Scaling mentorship program, extending learning and support beyond the event.

– Experience a sense of community and engagement through networking and entertainment sessions, leaving inspired to scale themselves, their ideas, and their impact.

THE GREAT OIL STRUGGLE: How the United States Seized Venezuelan Oil, Defied Sanctions and Shook Global Order.

By George Omagbemi Sylvester | Published by saharaweeklyng.com

“Trump’s Venezuela Strategy, Global Oil Politics and the World’s Watchful Silence.”

In a dramatic and unprecedented turn of events that reads like a 21st-century REALPOLITIK THRILLER, the United States under President Donald J. Trump has engineered a sweeping campaign to seize control of Venezuelan oil (the lifeblood of the South American nation) in defiance of longstanding export sanctions, international norms and mounting global unease. What began as a sanctions regime has morphed into a geopolitical juggernaut with oil tankers pursued across oceans, nations blockaded and the very principle of sovereign resource ownership thrown into question.

Sanctions, Sanctions Evaded and Three Oil Tankers Bound for the U.S.
As sanctions tightened on Venezuela’s petroleum industry (once a cornerstone of global crude markets) a new pattern emerged on the high seas. Despite crippling export limitations tied to U.S. financial penalties, Chevron-chartered vessels began moving crude to American refineries, underscoring the complexity and contradictions of U.S. energy policy. On January 8, 2026, three of the 11 Chevron-chartered ships were confirmed transporting Venezuelan oil onward to the United States, even amid “EXPORT SANCTIONS” that were ostensibly still in force.

This logistical twist reflects the convoluted reality: while broad sanctions remain in place, selective waivers and deals have been struck to prioritize oil flows that align with U.S. interests. In effect, sanctions enforcement has become a tool of leverage and not only to punish Maduro but to redirect Venezuela’s oil to American shores under terms set by Washington.

Shadow Fleets and Sinking Sovereignty: The Seizure of Oil Tankers.
The U.S. campaign took an audacious escalation in early January 2026, when government forces seized two oil tankers linked to Venezuelan crude exports and one of which was Russian-flagged and had been chased across the Atlantic for more than two weeks.

The Marinera (formerly Bella 1), flagged under Russia after attempts to evade detection and the M Sophia, intercepted in the Caribbean Sea, were both taken into U.S. custody under sanctions enforcement action. Washington claims these vessels were part of a “SHADOW FLEET” that shipped Venezuelan oil, potentially contravening American sanctions.

These seizures are not isolated incidents. At least four oil tankers have now been intercepted or commandeered by U.S. forces in the last weeks, part of an aggressive maritime campaign aimed at choking off Venezuela’s oil revenues.

Russia has vocally condemned these actions as breaches of international maritime law and “NEO-COLONIAL” overreach. Though the United States insists legal authority lies in its sanctions regime and national security prerogatives.

Military Might and Oil Blockade: Operation Southern Spear.
These maritime subplots occur against the backdrop of Operation Southern Spear, a sweeping U.S. naval and military buildup in the Caribbean since late 2025 that culminated in strikes, interceptor actions and the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro himself in early January 2026, an act that stands out as one of the boldest and most controversial in recent U.S. foreign policy.

Initially framed as combating narcotics trafficking and enforcing sanctions, Southern Spear has resulted in:

A naval “blockade” (technically a quarantine of sanctioned tankers) restricting oil exports from Venezuelan ports.

Multiple U.S. military and Coast Guard seizures of oil tankers.

Threats and limited strikes on maritime vessels in the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific.

This buildup represents the largest American military presence in the Caribbean in decades, eclipsing even Cold War deployments and serves the twin purposes of resource control and regime destabilization.

Congressional Pushback and Global Watchers.
In Washington, not all branches of government have stood in unison behind Trump’s bold approach. A bipartisan U.S. Senate resolution was advanced to require congressional approval for further military action in Venezuela, a direct rebuke to unilateral executive maneuvers.

Senator Tim Kaine, a key proponent of the measure, underscored the constitutional imperative of legislative oversight on matters of war and peace. For critics in both the U.S. and abroad, the growing conflation of oil interests with military action recalls historical resource-driven conflicts and raises alarms about executive overreach.

At the United Nations, diplomats and legal experts have flagged legal concerns. Some UN bodies and experts characterize aspects of the blockade and seizures as violations of the UN Charter and customary maritime law, especially given that U.S. sanctions lack Security Council authorization and extend into international waters not under U.S. jurisdiction.

Yet, concrete collective action from the UN remains muted though revealing the limitations of global governance when confronted by a superpower with strategic intent.

Oil, Influence and Economic Leverage.
At the heart of the conflict is Venezuela’s massive crude reserves, among the largest on Earth. Control over these resources is not only an economic windfall but a geopolitical asset in a fractured world order where energy remains central to national power.

Trump’s administration has outlined plans to refine and market up to 50 million barrels of Venezuelan crude, funneling proceeds into U.S. economic channels and leveraging energy dominance for diplomatic influence.

Vice President J.D. Vance, articulating the strategy, stated, “We control the energy resources and we tell the regime, you are allowed to sell the oil so long as you serve America’s national interest” A statement that encapsulates not merely commercial policy but a territorial conception of resource sovereignty.

Global Repercussions and the World’s Gaze.
The world watches while the United States expands its grip on Venezuelan oil and many questions loom:

Legal legitimacy: Maritime law experts and UN legal authorities warn that unilateral blockades and seizures could redefine international norms if left uncontested.

Geopolitical tension: Russia has condemned U.S. actions and China (a major buyer of Venezuelan crude) denounced the seizures as “BULLYING.”

Economic impact: Venezuelan crude exports have plummeted as tanker traffic evaporates amid U.S. pressure.

Humanitarian crisis: With oil at the core of Venezuela’s economy already near collapse, further disruptions risk worsening living conditions for millions.

Critics argue that Washington’s aggressive posture risks turning the Caribbean into a new flashpoint of great-power rivalry, with oil reserves as the coveted prize. Scholar Dr. Felipe Gómez of the Latin American Institute for Geopolitical Studies warns, “Energy dominance pursued through coercion will fracture trust and ignite competition that the global system is ill-prepared to manage.”

Meanwhile, former U.S. Ambassador Anne Peterson comments, “When you conflate security and resource control, you invite conflict. The international community must reaffirm the principles that challenged nations, too, have rights under international law.”

In Retrospect: A New Age of Oil Politics.
The saga of Venezuelan oil and U.S. intervention is not simply about petroleum and sanctions. It is a stark illustration of how energy resources remain central to power, how laws can bend under national interest and how the global order (beset by rivalries and weakening multilateralc institutions) increasingly operates in a realist paradigm.

The world watches as tankers are seized, Congress debates war powers and the United States asserts its will far from its shores. Oil is more than a commodity here; it is the linchpin of political leverage and Venezuela (for all its suffering and turmoil) has become the epicenter of a renewed struggle over who controls energy and, by extension, the fate of nations.

In this unfolding drama, one truth is unmistakable: power flows with oil and those who control the oil may yet control the direction of history itself.