Retired military officer Captain Babaginda Aliyu has called for a tougher response to Nigeria’s kidnapping crisis, arguing that criminals are exploiting the public’s fear of death to maintain their grip on society.
Speaking during an interview on Nigerian Info FM, Aliyu said the country had reached a point where decisive action was necessary to confront the growing security challenge.
“There are situations you allow yourself to get into that you cannot come out of with your limbs intact. We do not have time for niceties anymore. Either we confront this thing head-on as it is, or we turn into something far worse,” he said.
Aliyu maintained that kidnappers understand the psychological impact of their actions and use fear as a powerful tool. “The kidnapper knows that the fear of death is the jugular he is holding over all of us. So we would have to make sacrifices,” he added.
The retired officer acknowledged that kidnapping and violent crime occur in other countries, including the United States, but argued that the difference lies in the determination of authorities to pursue offenders.
He cited the U.S. government’s years-long pursuit of a major security target as an example of the persistence and commitment Nigeria must adopt if it hopes to effectively combat kidnapping and restore public confidence in national security.
