The National Association of Seadogs (NAS), also known as the Pyrates Confraternity, has raised alarms over the escalating crisis of killings and kidnappings across Nigeria. In response to the worsening situation, NAS has called on the Federal Government to urgently declare a state of emergency on kidnapping to curb the growing insecurity.
Joseph Oteri, the NAS Cap’n, expressed deep concern in a statement, noting the disturbing rise in abductions and the brutal murders of victims, which have become alarmingly common throughout the country. He stressed that the current situation has reached a critical juncture, with criminal elements operating freely and instilling fear and chaos among the population.
Oteri highlighted recent incidents, such as the kidnapping of a Commissioner in Anambra State along with his wife while en route to Abuja, the abduction of 20 medical students in Benue State, and other killings occurring across the six geo-political zones of Nigeria. He lamented the devaluation of human life, which has become “cheap, short, and brutish” in the face of these crimes.
“The respect for human life has diminished to a terrifying extent,” Oteri remarked. “Kidnapping has become a daily reality, with victims often killed without a second thought. This horrifying trend signifies a dangerous societal shift where the sanctity of life is no longer upheld.”
He pointed to the fatal killing of Abubakar Offiah, an aide to a state government, during one of these attacks as a glaring example of the brutality exhibited by these criminals. Additionally, Oteri underscored the abduction of over 20 medical students in Benue State, emphasizing that even those committed to the nation’s future are not immune from this menace.
The widespread nature of the insecurity crisis is not confined to a single region but has affected nearly every part of Nigeria. From the Southern states like Anambra, Imo, Delta, Edo, Rivers, and Bayelsa, to the Southwest in Osun and Oyo, and the Northern regions of Kogi, Kaduna, Zamfara, Taraba, and Borno, traveling across Nigeria has become increasingly dangerous.
Oteri argued that the extensive reach of this crisis has created a national emergency that demands immediate and decisive intervention. “The government’s failure to take strong action has left many citizens feeling abandoned and vulnerable,” he added.
Declaring a state of emergency on kidnapping, according to Oteri, would signal the government’s firm commitment to restoring order, protecting lives, and rebuilding public trust in its institutions.
As part of the solution, Oteri urged the government to bolster security forces by deploying additional personnel—including military, police, and specialized anti-kidnapping units—to the areas most affected by kidnapping. He also recommended enhancing their training, equipping them with modern technology, and improving intelligence-gathering capabilities.
Moreover, Oteri called for the establishment of victim support services, including psychological counseling for kidnapping victims and their families, to aid in their recovery and demonstrate the government’s dedication to resolving this crisis.
