In a statement that has ignited controversy across the country, Nasarawa State Governor, Abdullahi Sule, has boldly declared that kidnapping as a criminal enterprise originated in Southern Nigeria, not in the North — a claim that has drawn harsh criticism from citizens, security experts, and political observers alike.
Speaking during a recent media interview, Governor Sule stated, > “Let’s be honest with ourselves, kidnapping started in the South. It didn’t start in the North. It only spread up here later.” His comments have since gone viral, with many Nigerians calling it a “dangerous deflection ”from the worsening security crisis plaguing northern regions especially as banditry, mass abductions, and ransom killings continue to dominate headlines in the North-West and North-Central parts of the country.
A DIVISIVE STATEMENT While the governor may have intended to contextualize the historical spread of kidnapping in Nigeria, critics say his statement appears to shift blame rather than address the pressing security failures in the North.Human rights activist Ayo Balogun responded sharply, saying: “When leaders politicize crime, it weakens the national response. This is not about South or North. It’s about Nigeria’s collective survival.” THE NATION RESPONDS Social media erupted with outrage, with hashtags like WeAreAllVictims and StopTheBlameGame
UNITY OR DIVISION? At a time when national unity is fragile, Sule’s comments risk deepening the regional divide, instead of fostering a united front against the country’s shared enemy criminality in all forms.As Nigerians continue to live in fear, the public is demanding more than words they want protection, action, and accountability.
