Stop Politicising Kidnappings, Focus On Victims — Ayo Obe Warns On Democracy Day

Civil rights activist Ayo Obe, has called for an end to the politicisation of kidnappings and other insecurity incidents in Nigeria, warning that such narratives undermine rescue efforts and weaken national response systems.

Speaking on Channels Television’s Democracy Day programme on June 12, Obe said the growing tendency to interpret abductions through political lenses distracts from the urgent need to secure the release of victims and bring perpetrators to justice. She insisted that insecurity should be treated strictly as a national emergency, not as a tool for political rivalry or partisan blame games.

According to her, discussions around abductions in Nigeria are often quickly diverted into conspiracy theories or political accusations, instead of focusing on coordinated action to rescue victims. Obe stressed that law enforcement agencies must be allowed to investigate crimes independently, without interference based on the identity of victims or suspected perpetrators.

She argued that justice and accountability should remain consistent regardless of ethnic, religious, or political affiliations. “The issue of security was, is, and will remain a political issue,” she said, “but that should never translate into abandoning victims or delaying rescue efforts.”

Obe maintained that crimes must be investigated and perpetrators brought to book irrespective of identity, warning against narratives that classify suspects or victims along ethnic or political lines.

“The implication is that if the perpetrator belongs to one group or another, law enforcement is then expected to act selectively. That approach is unhelpful and dangerous,” she added.

The activist said Nigeria’s response to insecurity must be grounded in the rule of law, insisting that politicising criminal incidents only weakens public trust in security institutions and reduces their effectiveness.

Obe’s comments come amid renewed national concern over rising cases of kidnapping and violent crime, particularly attacks targeting schoolchildren and rural communities across several states.