Unfortunate Death of an Ex-lawmaker in Kidnappers’ Den

The rate at which Nigerians lose their lives these days especially to terrorists is really a cause for concern and a big shame to the Nigerian government.

It not only shows that governments have failed, it also shows that our security agencies failed in their responsibilities.

Indeed, it appears killings, and kidnappings have become normal ways of life in Nigeria because they are no longer news.

They only become news when members of the ruling class and their associates are affected.

Last week, there was a report that a former member of the House of Representatives, Abba Adamu, died while in the custody of kidnappers.

According to the reports, the former lawmaker was abducted by armed bandits along the Abuja-Kaduna highway on May 3. Despite efforts by his family to secure his freedom, he reportedly died nine days later while still in captivity.

In countries where security agencies are very effective, the nine days are enough to track and rescue the embattled lawmaker, and bring the kidnappers to justice.

Adamu’s death was yet another grim reminder of the worsening collapse of security under the President Bola Tinubu administration.

If a former member of the National Assembly can be abducted on one of the country’s most strategic highways and died in captivity, what hope remains for the ordinary Nigerian who lacks visibility, influence, or protection? 

Reacting to the tragic death of the former lawmaker, Vice President Atiku Abubakar described it as a painful reflection of the worsening security situation in the country.

He said the death of the ex-lawmaker highlighted what he called the federal government’s inability to adequately protect citizens and secure major highways across the country.

The former vice president lamented what he described as a growing pattern of insecurity across the country, alleging that kidnappings and violent attacks had continued to spread from highways to farms, communities, and residential areas.

He concluded by saying that any government that cannot secure its highways cannot claim to govern, and that a government that watches citizens get hunted like prey has failed the most elementary test of leadership.