By Ojukwu Emmanuel Chiadikaobi

In a startling revelation, security experts are pointing fingers at commercial banks, claiming that they are inadvertently contributing to the alarming rise of the kidnapping epidemic in the country. These experts, possessing backgrounds in military, intelligence, and policing, argue that the phenomenon has evolved into a thriving industry, fueled by financial institutions accepting ransoms.

The experts and analysts are urging President Bola Tinubu and the security apparatus to take decisive action to bring an end to this disturbing trend. Kidnappings, initially concentrated in the North-West region, have now spread their tentacles to other parts of the nation, including Lagos, Ogun, Nasarawa, Delta states, and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

Recent weeks have witnessed a surge in kidnapping incidents within the FCT, where suspected bandits have abducted over 25 individuals, demanding substantial ransoms for their safe release. The experts emphasize the urgent need for collaborative efforts to curb the kidnapping epidemic, urging the banking sector to play a proactive role in preventing their facilities from being used as conduits for illicit financial transactions related to abductions.