The President of the Nigerian Society for Criminology, Prof. Oludayo Tade, has called on President Bola Tinubu to strengthen efforts aimed at securing the country and protecting citizens from the growing threat of insecurity. Tade made the appeal on Sunday in a statement issued in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, expressing concern over the persistent wave of kidnappings, killings, and other violent crimes across various parts of Nigeria.
According to the criminology expert, the country’s security challenges have evolved beyond local criminal activities and now possess both national and transnational dimensions, requiring a more coordinated and comprehensive response from the government and security agencies. His remarks come against the backdrop of recent disturbing incidents in Oyo State and other parts of the country, where kidnappers have continued to target innocent citizens despite ongoing efforts by security operatives to curb the menace.
Prof. Tade lamented the increasing trend in which victims are kidnapped, ransom demands are made, and in some cases, victims are still killed even after relatives comply with the kidnappers’ demands. He described the development as a dangerous indication of the growing boldness and brutality of criminal gangs operating across the country.
The criminologist stressed that the protection of lives and property remains one of the primary responsibilities of government and urged the Federal Government to deploy more resources towards intelligence gathering, surveillance, and coordinated security operations. He noted that insecurity not only threatens the safety of citizens but also undermines economic growth, discourages investment, and creates fear among communities.
The call followed a series of recent kidnapping incidents that have generated public outrage and renewed concerns over the effectiveness of security measures in affected areas. One of the incidents involved the abduction of a pregnant woman and several residents of Igboho in Oorelope Local Government Area of Oyo State.
The victims were reportedly kidnapped by armed bandits who later demanded ransom from their families. Tragically, reports indicated that the pregnant woman was killed alongside a relative who had gone to deliver money intended for her release. The incident sparked grief and anger among residents, who called for stronger security interventions to prevent similar occurrences.
The shocking development further heightened fears among communities already grappling with the threat of kidnapping and violent attacks. In another major security breach, scores of teachers and students were abducted during coordinated attacks on educational institutions in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.
The attacks, which occurred on Friday, May 15, 2026, targeted Baptist Nursery and Primary School in Yawota, Community Grammar School, and L.A. Primary School in Esiele. The mass abduction sent shockwaves across the state and revived concerns about the vulnerability of schools to criminal attacks, despite previous government initiatives aimed at safeguarding educational institutions.
Security experts have repeatedly warned that attacks on schools not only endanger lives but also disrupt learning and create long-term psychological trauma for students, teachers, and their families. Prof. Tade emphasized that addressing the country’s security crisis requires a multi-layered strategy involving federal, state, and local authorities, as well as community leaders and citizens.
He advocated improved intelligence sharing among security agencies, stronger border control measures, enhanced use of technology in crime prevention, and increased investment in crime research and criminological studies. The criminology scholar also highlighted the need to address underlying factors that contribute to criminality, including unemployment, poverty, social exclusion, and weak law enforcement structures.
According to him, criminal networks often exploit economic hardship and governance gaps to recruit members and expand their operations, making it imperative for government interventions to combine security actions with socio-economic development programmes. He further urged authorities to ensure that perpetrators of kidnapping and other violent crimes are arrested, prosecuted, and punished in accordance with the law to serve as a deterrent to others.
The appeal adds to growing calls from security analysts, civil society organisations, and concerned citizens for stronger measures to tackle the nation’s security challenges.
As Nigerians continue to demand safer communities and effective protection from criminal activities, stakeholders believe that enhanced collaboration among government institutions, security agencies, and local communities will be crucial in restoring public confidence and ensuring lasting peace across the country.
