Pray, Is Insecurity Insurmountable?

Nigeria is grappling with a pervasive and escalating insecurity crisis that has transformed the nation's landscape, moving far beyond localized conflicts. The author reflects on a recent conversation that underscored the gravity of the situation, highlighting the immense financial demands associated with potential kidnappings.

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He had joked that he hoped I was not in “Okunland” as he did not have N135 million to pay if I was kidnapped by bandits.

Recounting personal history, the author contrasts the current climate with past decades. Travel by road, once a routine activity, is now fraught with anxiety. Fears were once limited to armed robbery and accidents, with the Federal Road Safety Corps playing a role in mitigating risks. However, the nature of threats has evolved dramatically.

Over the last 25 years, Nigeria has witnessed a succession of security challenges. These include ethnic uprisings like the Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC) movement, widespread religious riots in the north, secessionist campaigns in the southeast, and the Niger Delta militancy that normalized kidnapping for ransom. The Boko Haram insurgency in the northeast and cattle rustling in the northwest, which likely fueled the rise of banditry, have further destabilized the country.

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Just a decade ago, if anybody had told me a time would come when road travels would come with anxiety and hypertension, I would have filed it under “exaggeration”.

The current reality, however, surpasses previous experiences. While Boko Haram's influence has been largely confined to Borno state, the widespread banditry and associated violence, including frequent kidnappings, have created a climate of fear across much of the nation. The author expresses a profound sense of melancholy, noting that the current level of insecurity is beyond imagination compared to even a decade ago.

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What we are dealing with today is beyond imagination.