A former Director of the Department of State Services (DSS), Mike Ejiofor, has revealed that four out of the 12 people involved in his kidnapping were serving soldiers.
He made this shocking during an interview on Arise TV, emphasizing the urgent need for internal cleansing within Nigeria’s security agencies.
Ejiofor recounted his ordeal, stressing that security personnel—both retired and active—have been implicated in the rising wave of kidnappings across the country. “Out of the 12 people involved in my kidnapping, four were serving soldiers,” he stated, adding that some security officers not only participate in abductions but also rent out their weapons to criminals.
He noted that while the Nigerian military and security forces are making strides in combating insecurity, the infiltration of criminal elements within their ranks poses a significant challenge. “The Chief of Army Staff must take this issue seriously because fighting external threats while facing internal sabotage is dangerous,” Ejiofor warned.
Addressing the broader issue of kidnapping, he explained that the crime has evolved into a highly profitable industry, with ransom payments running into billions. He cited reports that Nigerians paid over ₦2.23 trillion in ransom in 2024 alone, a figure that surpasses the budgets of several states combined.
Ejiofor urged the government to intensify efforts in intelligence gathering, monitor the financial activities of security personnel, and ensure swift disciplinary actions against officers found complicit. “A rank-and-file officer driving a luxury SUV should raise suspicion,” he stated.
He also advised Nigerians to adopt personal security measures, avoid flashy displays of wealth, and remain cautious while traveling. “No one is exempt from being kidnapped—military personnel, businessmen, politicians, religious leaders, everyone is a potential target,” he warned.
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