society
From Tap to Tragedy: How Poverty and Failures of Security Turned Two Palm-Wine Tappers into Victims of Ransom Killers.
From Tap to Tragedy: How Poverty and Failures of Security Turned Two Palm-Wine Tappers into Victims of Ransom Killers.
By George Omagbemi Sylvester | Published by SaharaWeeklyNG.com
“One killed after his family (who could only raise ₦10,000) tried to negotiate; a survivor’s testimony exposes a brutal economy of abduction and the human cost of state neglect.”
On a humid Thursday in late November 2025, two men climbed the same palm they had climbed for years to tap the sweet, living sap that feeds villages across the Niger Delta. Their trade is ancient, harmless and humble. What happened next (abduction, brutal bargaining and the merciless execution of one of the men after his family offered the only money they had, ₦10,000) reads like the darkest possible mirror held up to a failing social contract: when the state cannot protect its people, criminal markets thrive and ordinary lives become disposable.
The facts of the case are stark and chilling. Activists and community search teams, led on the ground by Harrison Gwamnishu, told rescuers that the two palm-wine tappers were seized in Emuhu, near Agbor in Delta State. A coordinated search that included local vigilantes, military personnel and police recovered one man alive in Urhonigbe, Edo State; the other had been executed by his captors. According to the survivor’s account, the family attempted to negotiate with the kidnappers but could only muster ₦10,000, an amount the abductors rejected before shooting their captive.
This killing is not an isolated cruelty. It is the local face of a national (and in some places transnational) economy in which kidnappers turn human lives into assets to be liquidated for cash. Over the past decade, kidnapping in Nigeria has mutated from political hostage-taking into an industrialized, decentralized business model that preys on rich and poor alike. What used to target expatriates or wealthy elites now regularly entraps rural workers, students and commuters, the very people least able to pay. Analysts and investigative reporting trace this evolution back to the Niger Delta militancy of the 1990s and 2000s; after formal militancy declined, many former fighters and criminal entrepreneurs shifted to kidnapping for ransom, which quickly proved more lucrative and less politically risky.
There are two interconnected dynamics at work that make incidents like the Emuhu abduction so deadly. First is the brutal arithmetic of poverty: families with no savings or social safety nets are forced to bargain with criminals from positions of abject weakness. Second is the erosion of effective state capability (intelligence, policing, rapid response) so that criminal groups can operate with near impunity. Nigeria’s own security officials have acknowledged gaps in human intelligence and logistical reach; generals and analysts point to poor information flow from communities and stretched resources across vast forested areas that provide cover for kidnappers. Those structural failures convert a modest ransom plea into a death sentence.
Listen to the human testimony. The rescued palm-wine tapper described how his colleague’s family produced the only cash they had (TEN THOUSAND NAIRA) and how the captors rejected it and executed the man. The survivor’s words are not simply anecdote; they are documentary proof of a market logic in which the value of human life is measured in naira and where poverty hands the executioner both MOTIVE and LEVERAGE. Activists who helped coordinate the search deplored the tragedy and warned that the Delta–Edo forest corridor is becoming an increasingly dangerous conduit for armed gangs.
Experts who study Nigerian insecurity say the solution cannot be only tougher raids or short-term operations. The SaharaWeeklyNG.com and other analysts underline an important truth: kidnapping has flourished because it pays, and because accountability is weak. Business models adapt; outlaw entrepreneurs respond to returns. When ransom is collected with impunity and kidnappers remain largely unprosecuted, criminality scales. That is why, some analysts argue, narrow militarized responses without simultaneous social and economic remediation will only produce temporary rescues and not systemic safety.
A humane but urgent policy prescription follows from these realities. First: rebuild community intelligence and trust. Security responses must be coordinated with local leaders, vigilante groups and civil society so that early warning is possible and families feel safe to report threats. Second: implement social protection and livelihood programmes targeted at high-risk rural communities and helping families build small savings and access emergency support would reduce the painful bargaining power asymmetry that made ₦10,000 the sum that sealed a man’s fate. Third: deliver accountable justice and dismantle ransom syndicates through sustained investigations and prosecutions so that kidnapping no longer appears to be a low-risk, high-reward business. Fourth: provide trauma support for survivors and victims’ families; the psychological damage to communities is long-term and corrosive. These are not abstract recommendations: they are the obvious steps a responsible state must take to restore the minimum of public safety.
There is fierce debate about ransom policy. Some governments and analysts advocate strict bans on ransom payments, arguing that money fuels criminal networks; others point out the immediate moral obligation families and communities feel to save lives are often by paying. Nigeria has wrestled with this dilemma in law and public debate; whatever the legal regime, enforcement without community support can backfire, while a blanket ban without realistic alternative support risks condemning hostages to death. The Emuhu case demonstrates the tragic dilemma: families that cannot pay face atrocity, while those who can pay may inadvertently fund future crimes.
Beyond policy, this story is a moral indictment. A nation that allows a palm-wine tapper to be murdered after his family produces the only cash in their pockets is failing the most basic responsibilities of governance. The scene is both painfully specific and horribly symbolic: the palm tree that sustained a smallholder’s work becomes a site of extortion and murder. For readers and leaders alike, the question must be not only how to punish those responsible, but how to protect the vulnerable in the first place. That requires political will, budgetary commitment and leadership that recognises security as a public good, not merely a campaign talking point.
Finally, there is the human call. Security agencies, civil society and media must keep the spotlight on these cases so they do not fade into the background noise of daily violence. Families must be supported (financially, legally and psychologically) and perpetrators must be hunted without favour. If Nigeria is serious about reversing the lucrative trade in human suffering, it must combine immediate rescue capacity with longer-term economic inclusion, judicial accountability and local empowerment. Only then will the next generation of palm-wine tappers climb trees without fearing that the act of their labour will be their last.
The murdered man is more than a statistic. He had a name, a family, a daily rhythm that began and ended with honest labour. The shame of his death (over a sum so small it could not even buy a market basket) should shame every institution that claims to protect citizens. Let his story be a CATALYST for CHANGE: not RHETORIC, but concrete programmes that make poverty less lethal and make criminal markets less profitable. That is the measure of a society’s humanity.
Reporting for this article relied on eyewitness accounts and local activist reports from Emuhu and Agbor, Delta State; coverage from Sahara Reporters and local news outlets; and analysis from international reporting on Nigeria’s kidnapping economy.
George Omagbemi Sylvester is a freelance journalist focusing on politics and security in West Africa. Published by SaharaWeeklyNG.com.
society
OWUTU FM 2026 Ramadan Lecture: Sheikh Jamiu Asanbe Urges Muslims to Avoid Showboating in Worship
OWUTU FM 2026 Ramadan Lecture: Sheikh Jamiu Asanbe Urges Muslims to Avoid Showboating in Worship.
The Chief Imam of Agelete Central Mosque, Ikoyi Lagos, Alhaji Jamiu Asanbe, has urged Muslims to remain sincere in their acts of worship and avoid the temptation of seeking public praise for good deeds.
The respected Islamic scholar gave this admonition while delivering a lecture at the OWUTU FM 2026 Ramadan Lecture, held on Saturday, February 28, 2026, in Lagos.
Speaking on the importance of sincerity in Islam, Sheikh Asanbe cautioned Muslim faithful against what he described as “showboating” — the practice of performing charitable acts or religious duties merely to gain recognition or admiration from others.
According to him, every act of worship in Islam must be done purely for the sake of Almighty Allah.
He explained that while acts such as prayer, fasting, and charity are fundamental pillars of faith, their true value lies in the intention behind them.
The cleric therefore encouraged Muslims to remain genuine in their devotion and avoid mixing their faith with the desire for worldly praise or attention.
Sheikh Asanbe also reminded the faithful that the holy month of Ramadan presents a unique opportunity for spiritual renewal. He urged believers to increase acts of generosity, particularly by supporting the needy, vulnerable members of society, and orphans.
Earlier in her remarks, the Convener of the Ramadan Lecture and CEO of OWUTU FM, Hajia Adejoke Muyibat Balogun, encouraged attendees to use the sacred month as a time for reflection, self-improvement, and community development.
She described the lecture theme as carefully selected to promote spirituality, strengthen faith, and encourage peaceful coexistence within the community.
Balogun expressed appreciation to the numerous guests and supporters who attended the event, noting that their presence reflected the strong bond within the community.
She further reaffirmed OWUTU FM’s commitment to sustaining the annual Ramadan Lecture, praying for Allah’s continued guidance and mercy in the years ahead.
The 2026 edition of the Ramadan Lecture attracted dignitaries and representatives from various organisations including Uzamot Communications, Okutex Fabrics, and the Yeye Asiwaju of Ojota Kingdom.
The event also featured engaging activities such as a quiz competition, where winners were presented with gifts. In the spirit of Ramadan, iftar meals were shared with guests, reinforcing the values of unity, generosity, and compassion that define the holy month.
Through initiatives like this, OWUTU FM continues to play a vital role in promoting faith-based dialogue, community engagement, and social harmony.
Tinubu Abroad, Nigeria in Chaos: The Spectacle of Elite Excess
By George Omagbemi Sylvester
“Government officials queue to bid him farewell as he departs, only to rush ahead and line up again to welcome him at his destination; a stark display of misaligned priorities in Nigerian leadership.”
Wednesday, March18, 2026
In a spectacle that has plunged Nigeria’s political class into fresh ignominy, a long line of federal ministers, governors, senators and political hangers‑on queued outside a London hotel this week to welcome President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR upon his arrival in the United Kingdom for a two‑day state visit.
Not only did these government officials send off Mr. Tinubu as he departed Nigeria (a ritual in itself excessive given the scale of pressing national crises) they rushed ahead to London to line the halls of his hotel, applauding and greeting him like conquering heroes arriving on foreign shores. This is how Nigeria’s elites now comport themselves while millions of citizens endure ever‑deepening hardship.
A Travesty of Priorities
Tinubu’s visit to the UK, hosted by King Charles III and Queen Camilla, is officially billed as an effort to deepen trade relations, attract investment and strengthen bilateral cooperation between Britain and Africa’s most populous nation. While those diplomatic objectives in theory could benefit Nigeria, the optics of an entire political class fawning over a president abroad are unbearably grim against the backdrop of domestic suffering.
According to recent economic analysis, despite macroeconomic adjustments such as ending fuel subsidies and floating the naira, more than 60% of Nigerians still live in poverty and daily hardships are rampant. Security remains a grave concern with violence and banditry destabilising large swathes of the country. Instead of addressing these crises with urgency, Nigeria’s leadership appears fascinated with photo‑ops overseas.
“A System of Self‑Centred Elites”
Critics within Nigeria have not minced words. Political observers describe the spectacle as a display of self‑centred politics divorced from the realities facing ordinary citizens. One observer on social platforms summed up the broader sentiment: “Tinubu represents a system of self‑centred elites (elite consensus over popular will) and this is exactly the performative politics that lines like these embody.”
Dr. Godfrey Mwakikagile, a respected African scholar on post‑colonial governance, has long warned that bad leadership and lack of accountability are Africa’s greatest challenges. “Power in many African states is too centralised and concentrated in the hands of elites who use it to perpetuate themselves at the expense of the public good,” Mwakikagile recently argued; a critique that resonates all the more when ministers fly abroad not to pursue tangible policy but to line up like admirers.
The Cost of Foreign Pageantry
This isn’t the first time Tinubu’s foreign engagements have attracted scrutiny. His administration’s frequent travels (often with large entourages) have drawn criticism for prioritising optics over outcomes, especially when Nigeria’s economy contracts and its people struggle with food inflation and insecurity.
Former presidential candidate Peter Obi has been among the most vocal domestic critics of these priorities, noting that Tinubu’s extensive foreign travel (including to the UK) distracts from urgent national needs and has become a “matter of grave concern.” Obi insists that such actions reveal a leadership more interested in global visibility than domestic wellbeing.
Nigeria Jagajaga!
The phrase “Nigeria jagajaga” (loosely translated as Nigeria being in disarray) has never felt more apt. A nation where ministers greet presidents in plush foreign suites while citizens queue for food and services is a country deeply out of balance.
Instead of being welcomed like dignitaries abroad, ministers and governors should be at home addressing the root causes of Nigeria’s struggles: insecurity that displaces communities and kills livelihoods, an economy that leaves the majority impoverished despite reforms, and the persistent failings of governance that erode public trust.
What Nigerians Deserve
President Tinubu and his entourage should be judged not by the number of ministers who lined up to greet him in London, but by the lives changed back in Nigeria.
As scholars like Mwakikagile and critics like Obi remind us, political leadership must be accountable and grounded in service, not spectacle. Nigeria’s leaders owe the people more than applause at international hotels; they owe them safety, economic opportunity, and genuine progress.
If this nation is ever to break free from the cycle of “jagajaga,” then those in power must demonstrate sincerity, not pageantry; action, not admiration. The lines outside a London hotel are not a testament to leadership; they are a testament to where Nigeria’s priorities have tragically come to rest.
GENERAL BULAMA BIU MOURNS VICTIMS OF BORNO ATTACKS, CALLS FOR UNITY AND VIGILANCE**
In a solemn and heartfelt message, Major General Abdulmalik Bulama Biu (Rtd), mni, the Sarkin Yakin Biu, has expressed profound grief over the recent tragic incidents of bomb explosions in Maiduguri and renewed violent attacks in several communities across Borno State.
This was contained in a statement he personally signed and made available to the press.
The retired senior military officer described the assaults which affected areas including Ngoshe, Mandiragirau, Ajiri, and Buratai as “cruel and most barbaric,” particularly as they occurred during a period of deep religious observance for many residents. General Biu extended his condolences to His Excellency, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, the Executive Governor of Borno State, the people of the state, and especially the immediate families of the victims.
“These unfortunate attacks have painfully led to the loss of innocent lives and destruction of properties, a painful reminder of the challenges we continue to face as a people,” he stated.
General Biu prayed that Almighty Allah grants the deceased eternal rest (Jannatul Firdaus) and grants the injured a speedy recovery. He also commended the bravery and swift response of security agencies and emergency responders, acknowledging their tireless efforts to protect lives and restore peace in the state.
Addressing the resilient people of Borno, including elders, community leaders, associations, and the vibrant youth, General Biu urged steadfastness, unity, and increased vigilance. “Let us once again rejig our commitment and ensure we overcome this development. We have done it in time past, we can still do it now together,” he emphasized.
He further called on citizens not to allow “these cowardly acts to break our spirit or weaken our collective resolve to achieve lasting peace and stability.”
In strong terms, General Biu declared his solidarity with Governor Zulum, the state government, stakeholders, and all well-meaning citizens in condemning the attacks. He concluded his message with a prayer: “May Allah (SWT) bring lasting peace to Borno State and the entire nation.”
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