society
THE BANDITS STRANGLEHOLD: HOW NIGERIA’S FAILURE TO SECURE ITS PEOPLE EMPOWERS TERRORISTS AND IMPLICATES THE STATE ITSELF
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.
UNITED KINGDOM OF ATLANTIS ANNOUNCES HISTORIC SUCCESS:
Premiere of ATC Digital Currency Exchange System Test, Highlighting “Gold Standard” for Humanitarian Purposes*
The Attica Empire, under the distinguished leadership of Empress Nobilisa Prof Sriwan kingjun, Empress of Attica Empire, successfully conducted a groundbreaking premiere test of its ATC (Attica Coin) digital currency exchange system. The event brought together high-ranking leaders and representatives from various nations to witness a spectacular celebration of financial innovation.
### Key Highlights of the ATC Digital Currency Exchange System Test
– The test demonstrated the efficiency and robustness of the ATC digital financial infrastructure, marking a significant milestone for Atlantis United Kingdom.
– Participants who completed the Know Your Customer (KYC) process in accordance with international standards were able to fully exchange ATC coins, thereby strengthening global confidence among currency holders.
– The ATC digital currency is positioned as the world’s first digital asset anchored to the *“Gold Standard”*, with its value guaranteed and validated through gold under certification by the International Court of Justice.
– The primary mission of the ATC currency is to fund humanitarian projects and drive macro-level social development, aligning with the empire’s vision of sustainable global impact.
### Event Atmosphere & Leadership Vision
The premiere was attended by thousands of guests who celebrated in an atmosphere of friendship, featuring:
– A concert performed by leading musical bands.
– A lavish reception of food and drink showcasing the empire’s prosperity and readiness.
– *Emperor Solomon Winning*, ruler of the United Kingdom of Atlantis and a thought leader in future-oriented projects, was celebrated as the transformative force reshaping traditional finance into a future-oriented model.
– Emperor Winning emphasized that the ATC system inaugurates a new, sustainable, and humanitarian economic framework.
*Quotes from Leadership*
_”The ATC digital currency is not just a financial innovation; it is a beacon of hope for global humanitarian efforts. We are committed to leveraging this technology to uplift communities and foster sustainable development.”_
— *Empress Nobilisa Sriwan Kingjun*
_”With the ATC Gold Standard, we are setting a new paradigm in digital finance—one that prioritizes transparency, accountability, and the greater good.”_
— *Emperor Solomon Winning*
Attica Empire is the pioneering force behind the digital economy of the United Kingdom of Atlantis. It focuses on developing secure, asset-backed FinTech solutions to support global usage and worldwide humanitarian efforts.
The ATC Digitalcurrency (Attica Coin) is a gold-backed digital asset designed to:
1. Provide a transparent and efficient medium of exchange.
2. Fund humanitarian initiatives and social development programs.
3. Set a new benchmark for asset-backed cryptocurrencies worldwide.
The Attica Empire remains committed to advancing innovative financial systems that empower global humanitarian projects and foster sustainable economic growth. The success of the ATC digital currency exchange system test paves the way for broader adoption and integration into global financial ecosystems.
### Upcoming Initiatives
– *Global Roadshow:* Attica Empire will embark on a worldwide tour to introduce the ATC digital currency to key financial hubs and international organizations.
– *Humanitarian Partnerships:* Collaborations with NGOs and global institutions to channel ATC funds into pressing social development projects.
– *Technological Advancements:* Continuous enhancement of the ATC platform to ensure scalability, security, and user-centric features.
The Attica Empire invites global stakeholders to join this transformative journey toward a more equitable and sustainable financial future.
Life Patron Gen. Buratai Congratulates Newly Elected Lady Captain of TYBGRCC
ABUJA – The Tukur Yusufu Buratai Golf Resort and Country Club (TYBGRCC) has ushered in a new era of leadership with the election of Ms. Jumai Hajara Adamu as its Lady Captain.
The club’s Life Patron, Lt Gen Tukur Yusufu Buratai (Rtd) CFR, former Chief of Army Staff, has extended his warm congratulations and full endorsement. “As the Life Patron, I am immensely proud to see a leader of your calibre step forward,” he stated. “Please be assured of my full and unwavering support throughout your tenure. I have every confidence that your leadership will be marked by significant achievements.”
The election, conducted by the club’s Board of Trustees and membership, highlights a unanimous confidence in Ms. Adamu’s vision and dedication to the sport and the club’s community.
In her acceptance address, the newly elected Lady Captain outlined a forward-looking agenda anchored on three key pillars: Unity, Development, and Inclusiveness. “I believe that golf is not just a sport but a powerful platform for friendship, discipline, mentorship, and community,” she stated, pledging to strengthen member bonds, encourage greater participation among ladies and youth, and enhance the club’s facilities.
Ms. Jumai Hajara Adamu, a respected member known for her active participation and organizational acumen, succeeds a line of distinguished past Lady Captains. She has pledged to build upon their legacy with transparency, teamwork, and accountability, ensuring every member feels heard and represented.
This appointment is seen as a significant step for the TYBGRCC, reinforcing its commitment to excellence, growth, and fostering a vibrant sporting community in the heart of the nation’s capital. The club anticipates a dynamic and prosperous term under her guidance.
About Tukur Yusufu Buratai Golf Resort and Country Club (TYBGRCC):
Located in Abuja, TYBGRCC is a premier golfing destination dedicated to promoting the sport of golf, fostering camaraderie, and encouraging a healthy lifestyle among its members and guests. It stands as a testament to world-class sporting and recreational facilities.
NAWOJ: SEKINAT, CHARITY GETS VOTE OF CONFIDENCE
The Nigeria Association of Women Journalists,(NAWOJ), Ogun State Chapter Executives has unanimously passed a vote of confidence on Chairman NAWOJ SEKINAT Salam and the Financial Secretary, Charity James, saying that, their leadership reflect the ideal and objectives of NAWOJ.
This was revealed in a communique issued at an Emergency meeting of the Executive held at the NUJ State Council, Iwe-Iroyin in Abeokuta.
The vote of confidence on the Leadership of NAWOJ was unanimously signed by all the five executive members that attended the meeting with the vice chairperson taking apology for official engagement outside the state capital.
According to the communique ” Consequently, NAWOJ Ogun State Chapter, reaffirms it’s unwavering support and confidence in the Chairperson and the Financial Secretary, Sekinat Salam and Charity James respectively, Urge them to continue in their commitment to purposeful leadership in the best interest of the association and the society at large”.
Speaking briefly with Journalists after the emergency Executive meeting, the Chairperson, Nigeria Association of Woman Journalists (NAWOJ), Com. Sekinat Salam, said the meeting was necessary as the news of her suspension was laughable and insulting because it is like a pot calling a kettle black in this case, saying that the Leadership of the State Council, Com. Wale Olanrewaju has no local standing to suspend her or any executive member, even he cannot be a judge in his own case.
According to her” The Leadership of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Ogun State led by Wale Olanrewaju has always been misusing power without recourse to the constitution of this noble Union, hence has no local standing to suspend me or any executive member “.
She said only the Central Working Committee (CWC) has the constitutional rights to sanction or suspend any members found wanting after due process has been followed.
While calling on members to stay calm, Com. Sekinat Salam assured members of positive representation of NAWOJ at both the State and National level, adding the success recorded under her administration cannot be overemphasized.
She therefore called on the National leadership of NUJ to critically look into the matter, either by setting up independent committee to investigate the issues and resolve the matter as quickly as possible.
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