
A shocking exposed by retired military generals has peeled back the layers of Nigeria’s worsening kidnapping crisis, accusing security operatives, telecom insiders, and even bank officials of actively aiding and profiting from the deadly abduction industry.
Despite billions poured into national security, kidnappers continue to kill victims even after ransom payments while operating openly across at least 55 camps in the South-West alone, according to Afenifere Youth leader Eniola Ojajuni, a recent victim.
The revelations have sparked nationwide outrage, especially following the murder of Delta farmer Godwin Anuka in front of his wife and children, and the discovery of the decomposed body of kidnapped Anambra lawmaker Justice Azuka both tragic symbols of a country slipping deeper into lawlessness.
Former Chief of Defence Training and Planning, Gen. Ishola Williams (retd.), didn’t hold back, saying:
Some kidnappers are protected by the same security agencies meant to stop them. It’s all a dirty contract criminals working hand-in-hand with uniformed collaborators.
He added that many high-profile kidnappers are known to authorities but remain untouched due to internal collusion, while telecom tracking efforts are often sabotaged from within.
Another ex-top brass, Maj. Gen. Dayo Olukoju (retd.), slammed the lack of synergy among security, telecom, and national data agencies:
How can phones be untraceable in a country where users are registered under NIN and NCC? Kidnapping is now an enterprise, with millions in ransom money and even body part trafficking.
In an even more damning claim, a retired Colonel (anonymous) alleged that ransom money marked by banks is often exposed to kidnappers—suggesting inside leaks from financial institutions:
“From banks to communities, many are on the payroll of these syndicates. Kidnapping has become a cartel with both national and international backing.”
As Nigeria spirals deeper into insecurity, analysts and citizens are demanding urgent action including special anti-kidnapping courts, the prosecution of compromised officers, and a full audit of internal telecom and banking operations.
But with top insiders allegedly complicit, many fear the system is too compromised to fix itself. The question now haunting Nigerians is: Who is really protecting the kidnappers?