The Democratic Leadership Alliance (DLA) has issued a 14-day ultimatum to the Federal Government to present and begin implementing concrete measures to address the escalating wave of kidnappings across Nigeria, warning that citizens are increasingly living in fear amid rising insecurity.
In a statement signed by its Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Judith Aguenu, the party described the situation as a worsening national crisis threatening lives, livelihoods, and social stability across the country.
The DLA criticised recent government interventions, including plans to recruit 1,000 forest guards, saying the measure has not reassured Nigerians or reflected the scale of the security challenge.
“The recent decision of the Federal Government to recruit 1,000 forest guards as part of its response to insecurity has done little to reassure Nigerians that the administration fully understands the magnitude of the kidnapping crisis currently threatening lives, livelihoods, and national stability,” the statement said.
The party noted that kidnappings have become a recurring threat in both urban and rural areas, with citizens abducted from highways, homes, schools, farms, places of worship, and communities.
“Today, millions of Nigerians live in fear. Hardly a day passes without reports of citizens being abducted from highways, homes, schools, farms, places of worship, and communities,” it said.
It warned that the growing insecurity is disrupting economic activities, agricultural production, and daily movement, with rural communities particularly affected as farmers abandon farmlands due to safety concerns.
“Farmers are abandoning their farms, businesses are relocating, families are living under constant fear, and communities are increasingly vulnerable to criminal elements,” the statement added.
The DLA called for broader reforms beyond security deployments, urging government to address underlying economic conditions, strengthen intelligence gathering, improve coordination among security agencies, and ensure swift prosecution of offenders.
“We maintain that the solution to kidnapping cannot be limited to security deployments alone,” it stated.
The party also urged President Bola Tinubu to declare kidnapping a national emergency, arguing that stronger and coordinated policy actions are urgently needed to reverse the trend.
“We therefore call on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to declare the kidnapping epidemic a national emergency and immediately activate stronger policies and coordinated actions capable of reversing the current trend,” it said.
The DLA warned that failure to show measurable progress within 14 days would prompt it to pursue legal and democratic actions, including public advocacy and engagement with stakeholders to draw attention to the crisis.
“Failure to demonstrate meaningful progress within this period will compel the Party to pursue lawful democratic measures, including public advocacy, strategic engagement with national and international stakeholders, and legal actions where necessary,” the statement added.
It reiterated that protecting lives and property remains the core responsibility of government, insisting that Nigerians deserve to live without fear of abduction or violent attacks.
