Public Outcry
Nigerians are questioning why the National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu and the Department of State Services (DSS) have not tracked the device used to upload the video for a rescue operation.
Many contrast this inaction with recent high‑profile arrests, such as cybercriminal Waspappin and bandit leader Abu Affan, asking why similar urgency is not applied to mass abductions.
Banditry in the Northwest
The video underscores the ongoing crisis in Zamfara, Katsina, and other northwest states, where armed groups routinely abduct civilians for ransom.
- Over 3,000 kidnappings were reported in 2025 alone.
- Victims often include schoolchildren, market traders, and rural families.
- Camps in remote forests serve as bases for bandits, making rescue operations difficult.
Silence from Authorities
As of March 16, there has been no official response from the government regarding the video.
This silence has fueled speculation about whether authorities are overwhelmed, indifferent, or deliberately withholding information.
Nigerians React
- “If DSS can track online fraudsters, why can’t they trace kidnappers posting videos?”
- “We are tired of condolences. We want action.”
- “Every year, thousands are kidnapped, yet government keeps promising security reforms.”
- “This video is proof that bandits operate freely. Where is the military presence?”
The Bigger Picture
Nigeria’s insecurity crisis is multi‑layered:
- Banditry and kidnappings in the northwest.
- Insurgency in the northeast.
- Farmer–herder clashes in the Middle Belt.
- Urban crime in major cities.
The Akure Airport incident reported by FAAN just days earlier, combined with this video, paints a grim picture of fragile national security infrastructure.
What Needs to Happen
Experts argue that:
- Technology‑driven intelligence (device tracking, drone surveillance) must be prioritized.
- Community policing and vigilante integration should be formalized.
- Transparent communication from government agencies is critical to rebuild public trust.
Summary
The nearly three-minute video depicted distressed civilians—mostly women and children in traditional attire—in a forested camp guarded by men in camouflage.
Nigerians question why the National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu and Department of State Services have not tracked the device’s location for a rescue.
They contrast it with recent arrests of suspects like cybercriminal Waspappin and bandit leader Abu Affan.
The clip highlights ongoing banditry in northwest states like Zamfara and Katsina.
Groups abduct hundreds yearly for ransom, amid over 3,000 kidnappings reported in 2025 in the region.
Worse yet, no official response from security authorities as of March 16.
