Former Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, has expressed concern over the growing wave of kidnappings across Nigeria, describing the situation as unfortunate, regrettable, and one that has become deeply entrenched in the country’s social fabric.
Speaking during an interview from 4:21 on Channels Television on Monday, June 1, 2026, Fayose sympathized with victims of recent abductions and their families, while calling attention to what he described as the long-standing nature of the country’s security challenges.
The former governor began by extending his sympathies to families affected by kidnappings in different parts of the country, including Oyo and Kwara states, as well as other regions experiencing similar incidents.
“Let me appreciate this opportunity to be a part of this discourse and to let you know that we are concerned about the citizens of this country that were kidnapped, either in Oyo State, either in Kwara, or any part of the country,” he said.
Fayose described the situation as both troubling and persistent, noting that insecurity has evolved over several years into a major national challenge. “It’s unfortunate, it is sad, it is regrettable. If you look back, the problem in our hands as a nation, it’s an unending problem,” he stated.
Reflecting on his time in public office, Fayose said the security challenges that have now become widespread began gradually before expanding across the country. “These problems started like a joke. I was governor up until 2006, and that was in the reign of President Obasanjo. These issues started quietly, and today it has taken over the fabric of our society.”
According to him, kidnapping has transformed from isolated criminal activities into a more organized and widespread phenomenon. “It has become a big business, and it is now a way of life. May God never allow us to be victims of this unfortunate issue,” he said.
The former governor also referenced reports regarding the origins of the crisis, while stressing that he would not make direct allegations against any individual or group.
“Recall very well that this was rumored, because I’m not going to allege or mention anybody’s name, to have started in a part of the north, northeast precisely, and efforts were made by succeeding governments to curb the spread.”
Despite interventions by successive administrations, Fayose argued that the problem has continued to worsen over time. “But don’t forget, up till now, it has escalated,” he said.
He further observed that expectations that previous governments would effectively tackle the challenge had not produced the desired outcome. “And the then president, who everybody had judged to be a former military head of state, everybody said he was a military man, he would be able to handle it. It was actually worse in the days of late President Buhari, without judging anybody.”
Fayose maintained that the crisis remains unresolved and warned that factors such as religion, ethnicity, and societal divisions have complicated efforts to address it. “And this situation, regrettably, again regrettably, is an ongoing concern without solution inside.”
“I want to say to you, there is no Nigerian president, no Nigerian security architecture can solve this problem. Why? If you look very well, they have put religion into it. They have put ethnicity into it. They have brought in so many sentiments towards this matter,” he added.
He concluded by expressing concern that elements within society have become involved in criminal activities associated with kidnapping. “And I want you to know and note this. The society where we live in, are now part of this racket and evil kidnapping act.”….Read_More…