DLA gives FG 14-day ultimatum to tackle worsening kidnapping crisis

The Democratic Leadership Alliance (DLA) has given the Nigerian Federal Government a two-week deadline to present concrete plans for combating the worsening wave of kidnappings. The opposition party expressed deep concern over the growing insecurity, labeling kidnapping a national crisis that threatens lives, economic activities, and social stability.

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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.

In a statement, the DLA's Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Judith Aguenu, stated that recent government efforts, such as recruiting 1,000 forest guards, have failed to convince Nigerians of the administration's full grasp of the challenge. "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 read.

The party emphasized that abductions have become a daily reality across the country, occurring on highways, in homes, schools, farms, and places of worship. "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 DLA noted. This pervasive fear obstructs freedom of movement, economic activities, agricultural production, and social development.

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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 DLA further pointed out that rural communities are disproportionately affected, with farmers abandoning their lands due to safety concerns, exacerbating food production challenges and economic hardship. "Farmers are abandoning their farms, businesses are relocating, families are living under constant fear, and communities are increasingly vulnerable to criminal elements," the party said. This warning comes amidst persistent reports of mass abductions and ransom crimes in various states, particularly in the North-West, North-Central, and southern regions.

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Farmers are abandoning their farms, businesses are relocating, families are living under constant fear, and communities are increasingly vulnerable to criminal elements.