Jun 5, 2026

Kidnapping Now Big Business, Retired General Raises Alarm Over Southwest Terror Surge

By Afolabi Olaiya Idowu in news

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A former Minister of Communications and retired military officer, Tajudeen Olanrewaju, has sounded a fresh warning over the worsening security situation in Nigeria’s South-West, describing the wave of kidnappings and violent attacks across the region as a lucrative criminal enterprise rather than a campaign driven by territorial conquest or religious ideology.

In a strongly worded statement titled “The Insurgency War/Terrorism in Southwest – The Way I See It,” Olanrewaju argued that the escalating violence in parts of the South-West should no longer be viewed through the conventional lens of banditry or isolated criminality.

Instead, he maintained that the activities of armed groups operating within the region bear the hallmarks of organized terrorism aimed at generating profits, spreading fear, and destabilizing communities.

According to the retired general, the perpetrators have increasingly embraced guerrilla-style tactics, targeting both civilians and security personnel in a manner designed to stretch the capabilities of the nation’s security architecture.

He noted that such attacks create an atmosphere of uncertainty and insecurity, making it difficult for residents to go about their daily lives while simultaneously placing enormous pressure on law enforcement agencies.

“This insurgency war and terrorism have no territorial value or Islamic evangelism objective,” Olanrewaju stated. “It is purely an ongoing business affair, as I could observe.”

His comments come amid growing concerns over insecurity across several parts of Nigeria, where kidnapping-for-ransom has evolved into a multi-billion-naira criminal industry.

Security analysts have repeatedly warned that criminal networks are becoming more sophisticated, exploiting vast forests, porous borders, and weak intelligence coordination to sustain their operations.

Olanrewaju further cautioned that the crisis could be manipulated by hidden sponsors seeking to advance political interests and power ambitions.

He argued that beyond the immediate financial gains from ransom payments, some actors may be exploiting insecurity to create social unrest and weaken public confidence in government institutions.

The retired military officer stressed that no state in the South-West should assume immunity from the security challenges confronting other regions of the country.

He specifically warned that Lagos, Nigeria’s commercial nerve centre, remains vulnerable to infiltration by terrorist elements capable of carrying out kidnappings, violent attacks, and acts of sabotage.

“Lagos State and the South-West in general cannot be isolated from occasional instability arising from the actions of infiltrated terrorists who kidnap for ransom, kill to instill fear, and pursue political ends,” he said.

He added that such actions are carefully calculated to generate panic, disrupt peace, and inflict significant economic and social damage through the destruction of lives and property.

Olanrewaju therefore urged authorities to formally recognize the evolving threat as terrorism rather than ordinary criminality.

He warned that failure to confront the challenge decisively could have serious implications for Nigeria’s territorial integrity, national cohesion, and long-term stability.

As part of his recommendations, the retired general called for the declaration of a State of emergency in affected areas to facilitate the activation of comprehensive contingency measures.

He also advised state governors to draw on the expertise of retired senior military officers, whose operational experience, he believes, could prove invaluable in developing effective strategies to counter the growing threat.

“The declaration of a State of Emergency is knocking for serious contingency plans to be activated,” he said. “Senior retired armed services officers could be recalled in each state by the Chief Executive for consultation and advice on the way forward.”

His remarks add to the growing national debate on how best to tackle Nigeria’s evolving security crisis and restore confidence among citizens increasingly concerned about their safety.