Joe Igbokwe, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and former Special Adviser on Drainage and Water Resources to the Lagos State Government, has raised alarm over the growing trend of kidnapping in Nigeria, describing it as the “biggest business” in the country.
In a statement shared on his social media platform, Igbokwe lamented the rising wave of abductions, especially of high-profile individuals, stating that the crime has become a lucrative enterprise for some youths in the country.
“Kidnapping has become the quickest way to make money in Nigeria. All you need to do is to kidnap prominent people in Nigeria. You can hit 20 million naira in just a few hours. It is now the biggest business in Nigeria and young Nigerians are into it,” Igbokwe said.
The statement has sparked heated discussions online, with many Nigerians expressing concern over the state of insecurity and the apparent normalization of violent crimes as income-generating venture
Nigeria has in recent years witnessed a sharp rise in cases of kidnapping-for-ransom, with victims ranging from schoolchildren to religious leaders, traditional rulers, politicians, and business executives.
The trend, security analysts say, reflects a dangerous breakdown in law enforcement and a growing desperation among unemployed youth.
Security agencies have continued to promise decisive action, but the frequency and sophistication of such attacks remain a major concern across the country.
As of press time, no further clarification had been issued by Igbokwe regarding the intent or context of his remarks.
See His Post Below:
𝗙𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗼𝘄 𝗢𝘂𝗿 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁𝘀𝗔𝗽𝗽 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗹 𝗧𝗼 𝗚𝗲𝘁 𝗟𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗡𝗲𝘄𝘀 𝗔𝘀 𝗜𝘁'𝘀 𝗗𝗿𝗼𝗽!
