The Security Business No One Talks About: How Kidnapping Became Nigeria’s Shadow Economy

The Security Business No One Talks About: How Kidnapping Became Nigeria’s Shadow EconomyA few weeks ago security expert Femi Aratokun spoke on TVC Nigeria about the growing security business and the alarming rise of kidnapping for ransom across the country. His observations reflect a painful reality: kidnapping has become one of the most profitable criminal enterprises in Nigeria operating like a multibillion naira underground business with little regulation no taxation and devastating consequences for ordinary citizens.The recent kidnapping crisis in Oyo State once again exposed the depth of Nigeria’s security challenges. Armed criminals attacked schools in the Ahoro Esinele community of Oriire Local Government Area abducting dozens of students and teachers. Unconfirmed reports indicate that the kidnappers later contacted authorities and demanded ransom payments while security agencies launched rescue operations involving the military police DSS and local security networks.This incident is not isolated. Oyo State has witnessed multiple kidnapping related cases in recent weeks including arrests during ransom collection attempts and security operations that resulted in the rescue of victims and the killing of suspected kidnappers.The growing frequency of these attacks raises a fundamental question: Why are Nigerians still being subjected to this level of insecurity despite enormous government security budget spending in the country given to all state governors as security budget votes?Nigerian lives must be treated as a national priority. The primary responsibility of any government is the protection of lives and property. When parents are afraid to send their children to school farmers cannot safely access their farms travelers fear highways and businesses operate under constant threat the foundation of national development is weakened.Kidnapping has evolved beyond a criminal problem into an economic and social crisis. Families sell property borrow money and drain life savings to secure the release of loved ones. Every successful ransom payment strengthens criminal networks finances further attacks and encourages more kidnappings.The tragedy is that many communities now view ransom payment as the fastest route to survival because confidence in rescue operations is often low. This creates a dangerous cycle where criminal groups become financially empowered while citizens become increasingly vulnerable.Why government must engage genuine security experts. Nigeria possesses many experienced security professionals including intelligence specialists retired military officers forensic investigators technology experts and community security practitioners whose expertise is often underutilized.The fight against kidnapping requires more than checkpoints and reactive deployments. It requires intelligence driven operations, advanced surveillance technology, drone monitoring of forests and criminal hideouts, telecommunications tracking of ransom negotiations, strong border and interstate security coordination, community intelligence gathering, financial tracking of ransom networks, and rapid response units capable of immediate intervention.Recent operations in Oyo State demonstrated that collaboration between police military personnel local hunters vigilantes and community stakeholders can produce positive results. However these efforts must become part of a long term national strategy rather than emergency responses after kidnappings occur.Moving beyond politics. Security should never be politicized. Criminals do not care about political parties ethnic groups or religion. Their objective is profit through fear. Political leaders at federal state and local levels must move beyond blame games and work together to confront insecurity. Citizens expect results not excuses. Every life lost to kidnapping represents a failure of the system and leaves lasting trauma for families and communities.A call to action. The Oyo State kidnapping incident is a reminder that insecurity continues to threaten Nigeria’s future. Government officials lawmakers security agencies and political leaders must treat every Nigerian life as valuable and irreplaceable.Nigeria needs a comprehensive security reform agenda that prioritizes prevention over reaction intelligence over politics and expertise over patronage. Genuine security professionals should be brought into decision making processes and successful anti kidnapping strategies should be implemented nationwide.The message is simple: No nation can achieve economic growth attract investment or guarantee prosperity when its citizens live in fear. Protecting Nigerian lives must remain the highest responsibility of government and the time for decisive action is now.