Senate President Godswill Akpabio says recent kidnapping incidents in Nigeria are being driven by efforts to shape public perception that the country is unsafe, while also linking some unrest to political criticism of the administration.
He made the statement on Tuesday in Abuja during the commissioning of road projects held to mark President Bola Tinubu’s third year in office.
Akpabio argued that some critics of the administration have struggled to engage with government performance and reforms, and have instead turned to negative narratives about insecurity.
He said: “If you realize what is happening recently, when they realized that they can’t talk about projects, performance, good laws, transformation in the Petroleum industry… they resorted to paying young people and recruiting them to cause mayhem in the country.”
On kidnapping, he claimed it is being used beyond financial motives to influence perception.
“Be very vigilant and be careful about people trying to kidnap for ransom,” he said. “They are kidnapping in order to give the impression that Nigeria is not safe.”
Akpabio also praised security agencies, stating that their efforts are often not fully acknowledged.
“Our men and women in uniform have done tremendously well but many people will not know,” he said.
He further commented on Nigeria’s political cycle, stressing that elections are temporary and should not define national stability.
“Elections will come and go, elections will never be our end, we will see the end of elections; it will never see our end,” he added.
