The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has issued a strongly worded condemnation of the recent nationwide surge in kidnappings, describing the situation as “a fundamental collapse of Nigeria’s security framework” and demanding an urgent national inquest into the systemic failures that allowed more than 145 people to be abducted in just four days.
NBA President Addresses Journalists
Addressing journalists at a press conference, the NBA President said Nigerians have endured enough excuses from security agencies while criminals continue to operate with impunity. He argued that government officials must stop responding to attacks with rehearsed statements and instead take concrete steps to prevent further tragedies.
Troubling Intelligence Gaps Identified
According to the NBA, the pattern of kidnappings reveals troubling intelligence gaps. Community warnings are ignored, police response times are slow, and inter-agency coordination remains poor. The association emphasised that victims often rely on vigilante groups, not government institutions, for protection—a sign that state security capacity is deteriorating.
NBA Calls for Independent Inquiry
To address the crisis, the NBA called for a multi-pronged independent inquiry that examines the root causes of insecurity. This inquiry, the association said, must scrutinise:
● failures in intelligence gathering and sharing
● mismanagement of security funding
● gaps in border policing
● and the rising sophistication of criminal gangs.
Renewed Push for State Police
The NBA also reaffirmed its longstanding position on the establishment of state police. It argued that Nigeria’s centralised policing system, created for a different era, does not meet the demands of a modern, diverse nation. State-level policing, they insist, will improve response time, community integration, and accountability.
Growing Frustration Among Families of Victims
Meanwhile, families of abducted victims continue to express frustration and fear. Many accuse security agencies of prioritising public relations over practical solutions. Some say officers have demanded money before assisting with investigations—a claim legal practitioners say underscores the deep corruption within the system.
Rising Capabilities of Criminal Gangs
Human rights advocates warn that Nigeria is inching dangerously close to a point where kidnappers control certain rural territories. They note that criminal gangs now use encrypted communication tools, sophisticated weapons, and complex networks of informants, making them harder to track and dismantle.
NBA Considers Legal Action
Beyond public statements, the NBA says it is ready to take legal action. The association is considering filing a constitutionally grounded suit compelling the federal government to implement overdue reforms in policing and internal security.
Analysts Weigh In
Analysts believe the NBA’s intervention is significant, as the organisation carries moral and legal authority. They say its pressure could force the government to confront uncomfortable truths about the nation’s security failures.
Nigerians Await Government Action
For now, Nigerians wait anxiously, hoping that public outrage, professional pressure, and rising national insecurity will finally push the government into decisive, transformative action.