The recent admission by President Muhammadu Buhari (retired) that the kidnappers behind the Abuja–Kaduna train attack reneged on their agreement to release all their captives, despite concessions from the government, underscores the argument against negotiating with criminals. This situation highlights the urgent need for the government to adopt a firm stance against terrorists, focus on rescuing kidnap victims, and ensure that perpetrators are brought to justice. The Zamfara State Government’s recent decision to introduce the death penalty for kidnappers is a positive step that should be replicated across other states.
Kidnapping for ransom, often carried out by bandits and other terrorist groups, has grown into a multibillion-naira enterprise in Nigeria. One report calculated that the Abuja-Kaduna train kidnappers had collected at least N2 billion in ransom from the 47 persons they had released as of August 20, while 23 individuals remained in captivity.
The government has appeared helpless in the face of the kidnapping crisis spreading across the country. Urgent measures are required to secure the release of the 23 train victims, who had been held for over 150 days by late August, and other abductees. President Buhari’s explanation that security forces have avoided a full military assault on the kidnappers’ camps to protect the hostages is understandable, but the government must develop a strategy to neutralize kidnappers and safely rescue their captives.
At a meeting with the families of the kidnapped train victims, Buhari expressed disappointment that the kidnappers had broken their promise to release the remaining hostages after the government freed their relatives. Presidential spokesman Garba Shehu revealed, “The government also released seven children of the members of the terrorist gangs, as demanded, but they reneged in releasing the train passengers.†This is deeply concerning and reflects poorly on the government’s handling of the situation. Functional states typically avoid negotiating with terrorists, as doing so only emboldens them.
Some northern state governors have learned the hard way that terrorists cannot be trusted. In the past, misguided amnesty programs, where bandits were paid in cash and livestock, proved ineffective, as the criminals simply returned to their illegal activities. The bandits have only grown wealthier, bolder, and more dangerous. Governor Nasir el-Rufai of Kaduna State recently revealed that terrorists had established a “parallel government” in parts of the state. Similar situations are unfolding in other northern states, including Katsina, Zamfara, Niger, and Sokoto.
Zamfara’s legislation of the death penalty for kidnappers must be rigorously enforced, and other states should follow suit. Additionally, local security agencies should be established to arrest and prosecute criminals. Buhari should push for a significant overhaul of the intelligence services to improve their effectiveness. The military must develop specialized units capable of conducting hostage rescues and carrying out commando raids against terrorist camps.
Terrorism has plagued Nigeria since 2009, and the government has had ample time to adapt its security strategies. The rise of mass kidnappings, beginning with the 2014 abduction of the Chibok schoolgirls, has highlighted the need for the Nigerian military, State Security Service (SSS), and police to develop specialized skills to combat these new threats. After a botched rescue operation in Iran in 1980, the United States created specialized military units to handle hostage situations, a model Nigeria should replicate.
Nigeria’s government should establish elite hostage rescue teams and gather reliable intelligence to minimize risks to hostages during rescue operations. The police should also consider forming a tactical unit similar to the FBI’s Hostage Rescue Team, while the military should work with international partners to train commando units for hostage rescues and counterterrorism operations.
In this fight against terrorism, the government must deploy technology effectively. The terrorists communicate using telephones, and ICT tools can help track them. Drone technology, already used by civilians like videographer Ifeanyi Okezie to recover stolen items, can be employed on a larger scale by Nigeria’s intelligence services. Additionally, Nigeria should seek help from foreign allies to train its forces and, if necessary, engage reputable international military contractors, as many powerful nations do.
Tackling terrorism requires international collaboration, as demonstrated by the extensive resources the US deployed to eliminate figures like Osama bin Laden. Nigeria, too, should not shy away from requesting foreign assistance in intelligence gathering, military tactics, and advanced hardware if it lacks the necessary capabilities.
In the meantime, more Nigerian states should legislate the death penalty for kidnappers, following Zamfara’s lead. Several states, including Kano, Lagos, Kogi, Taraba, and Ogun, already have this law in place, but enforcement is key to its effectiveness.
Ultimately, Nigerians should hold their elected officials accountable and continue to press for the implementation of state policing, which is essential for providing more effective and localized security across the country.
