In a shocking revelation, it has been uncovered that the inability of Nigerian security agencies to effectively track kidnappers' calls is partly due to the misuse of tracking devices by politicians and other influential individuals. These devices, initially installed to aid in combating crimes such as kidnapping, have reportedly been repurposed for personal use by some government officials, tracking their political enemies and monitoring the whereabouts of their mistresses.
An investigation into the matter reveals that while thousands of Nigerians have fallen victim to kidnappings across the country—with their captors brazenly negotiating ransoms over the phone—security agencies have repeatedly failed to track and apprehend the criminals. This failure has led to numerous tragic outcomes, including the recent abduction and subsequent killing of the 74-year-old Emir of Gobir in Gawata town, Sokoto State, Alhaji Isah Muhammad Bawa, who was kidnapped along with his son on the Sabon Birni road. Despite the bandits demanding a ransom of N1 billion and the release plea from the Emir in a viral video, the security agencies could not trace the kidnappers’ calls or locate their hideout. After three weeks in captivity without the ransom being paid, the Emir was killed, and the bandits demanded an additional N60 million and six motorbikes just for the release of his corpse.
Similar incidents have been reported nationwide, such as the kidnapping of a young man in Delta State who, despite his relatives paying the demanded N18 million ransom, was found dead. Likewise, the abduction of 20 medical students along the Otukpo-Enugu highway sparked outrage as their captors communicated freely with their families for nine days while security agencies struggled to trace them.
A retired senior police officer has shed light on the dysfunction within the Nigerian Police Force’s tracking system. According to him, the tracking devices, introduced in 2015 under the administration of then-Inspector-General of Police Solomon Arase, were initially effective in intercepting kidnappers’ communications and movements. The system allowed the Intelligence Response Team to locate and arrest kidnappers, providing crucial evidence such as call records and GPS data to strengthen cases against the criminals. However, subsequent police leaderships, unfamiliar with the technology, allowed it to fall into disrepair and misuse.
"The priority of successive IGPs was quite different," the retired officer stated. "Instead of the platform being used for crime prevention, it became political. People in the National Assembly and the Villa got hold of the platform and used it to track their enemies and mistresses."
This misuse of technology has had dire consequences. The platform, which required regular updates and subscriptions to remain functional, was neglected, leading to a breakdown of its capabilities. The company responsible for maintaining and upgrading the system eventually withdrew its services due to unpaid subscription fees. As a result, the once-effective crime-fighting tool became obsolete, allowing kidnappers to evade detection and continue their heinous activities with impunity.
Current Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has attempted to reactivate the tracking system. However, despite these efforts, kidnappers continue to operate with seeming ease across Nigeria, underscoring the persistent gaps in the security apparatus.
Further complicating the issue is the reluctance of security personnel to engage in high-risk operations against kidnappers. Many officers, speaking anonymously, cited inadequate resources, lack of proper training, and insufficient support as key reasons for their hesitancy. Some officers have voiced their frustration over the lack of recognition and rewards for their dangerous efforts to combat kidnappings, while others have pointed to the politicization of kidnapping cases, where the response to incidents is influenced by the victims' social status or political connections.
There is a growing consensus among security experts and concerned citizens that Nigeria needs a more comprehensive approach to addressing the kidnapping crisis. This includes better technological investments, such as GPS tracking and digital forensics, as well as a more robust commitment from the government to equip and support security agencies adequately.
Ultimately, addressing these issues will require political will and a renewed focus on using security technologies for their intended purposes—protecting citizens and maintaining public safety, rather than serving the personal interests of a privileged few.
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