Kidnapping Originated in Southern Nigeria, Says Governor Sule

Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State has stirred conversation across the country after stating that kidnapping in Nigeria began in the southern region long before it spread to the North.

He made the remark during an appearance on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics, where he argued that the widespread belief that the North introduced kidnapping into national insecurity discourse is historically inaccurate.

According to Sule, earlier cases of high-profile abductions in Nigeria were recorded in oil-producing states of the South in the early to mid-2000s, particularly during periods of agitation in the Niger Delta.

He maintained that the escalation of the crime in the North came later, driven by a different set of actors and motivations.

The governor made the comments while defending northern leaders’ efforts in combating the growing wave of banditry and kidnappings across the region. He insisted that both the Federal Government and northern governors have been committing significant resources to address insecurity, including large monthly contributions dedicated to coordinated security interventions.

Sule’s statement has sparked reactions nationwide, with critics arguing that focusing on where kidnapping began does little to solve the crisis currently affecting nearly every part of Nigeria.

However, others say the comment reflects frustration over frequent accusations that the North has failed to manage criminality within its borders.

Security experts note that while kidnapping may have originated in one region, it has evolved into a complex national challenge involving diverse groups and motives—from militancy to banditry to organised crime.

They warn that politicising the origins of kidnapping risks undermining the nationwide collaboration required to tackle the threat.

Governor Sule has maintained his stance, urging Nigerians to avoid regional blame and instead support ongoing efforts aimed at restoring safety across the country.