Does the Government’s Anti-Ransom Ban Make Sense?

In recent years, insecurity has become a prevalent issue in many Nigerian communities. This trend can be attributed to the widespread emergence and dominance of various non-state armed groups throughout the country. These groups, characterized by their diverse motivations, objectives and strategies, include terrorists, criminal gangs, bandits and amorphous criminal groups often described as ‘unknown gunmen’ in media reports. At present, banditry is recognized as a critical security challenge facing Nigeria. This complex crime encompasses a range of violent activities, including murder, rape, illegal arms possession, cattle rustling and kidnapping for ransom. While bandits have become more notorious for kidnapping for ransom in Nigeria, this form of crime has also become a common denominator for these diverse criminal groups operating in rural and urban areas.