Nigeria’s Kidnapping Epidemic Cannot Be Divorced from Politics, Legal Luminary, Ike Ofuokwu Tells The Nation Newspaper

 Nigeria’s Kidnapping Epidemic Cannot Be Divorced from Politics, Legal Luminary, Ike Ofuokwu Tells The Nation Newspaper

The recent abduction and tragic death in captivity of retired Major General Rabe Abubakar has once again brought Nigeria’s worsening kidnapping crisis into sharp national focus. The incident has reignited public debate on the effectiveness of existing laws, government policies, and security strategies aimed at combating the menace.

Amidst these discussions, renowned constitutional lawyer and legal luminary from Ibusa, Chief Ike Ofuokwu, has added his voice to the national conversation in an insightful article published by Joseph Jibueze, Deputy Editor of The Nation Newspaper.

In the article titled “Can Tougher Laws End Kidnapping?”, published in The Nation Newspaper on June 16, 2026, several legal experts examined the root causes of kidnapping in Nigeria and assessed whether stricter legislation alone can solve the problem. Among the contributors was Ike Ofuokwu, who argued forcefully that Nigeria’s kidnapping epidemic cannot be separated from the nation’s political realities.

According to Ofuokwu, successive political actors have inadvertently nurtured the conditions that allow criminal groups to thrive.

“The truth is that the political class had, over the years, encouraged these bandits by playing politics with the tacit acceptance and approval that has been accorded them,” he stated.

He further explained that many of these criminal elements were initially armed and empowered for political purposes.

“They make use of them during campaigns and elections and find it difficult to disarm them after the elections,” Ofuokwu said.

The respected legal practitioner maintained that the proliferation of weapons among politically sponsored groups has evolved into a grave national security challenge. Many criminal gangs, he noted, continue to retain and deploy weapons originally acquired during political activities, thereby threatening the stability and survival of the Nigerian state.

In a strongly worded warning, Ofuokwu stressed the urgent need for decisive action.

“The Nigerian state must take a decisive and brave step to curtail and eliminate this criminality; otherwise, the criminality will eliminate and destroy the Nigerian state.”

Ofuokwu was equally critical of government amnesty programmes and negotiations with armed criminal groups, describing such measures as counterproductive and unjust to victims.

“If the government continues to grant them amnesty and absorb them into the military while their victims are in the IDP camps, that to me is impunity of the highest order.”

His comments reflect growing concerns among many Nigerians who believe that leniency toward violent criminal groups undermines justice, weakens deterrence, and emboldens further acts of lawlessness.

An illustrious son of Ibusa in Delta State, Ike Ofuokwu has consistently distinguished himself as a fearless advocate for constitutionalism, justice, and good governance. Through his interventions on critical national issues, he continues to speak truth to power and offer thoughtful perspectives on the challenges confronting the Nigerian nation. Increasingly, he is emerging as one of the most respected and influential voices within Nigeria’s legal community.

His contributions to the debate on insecurity underscore the need for a comprehensive approach that addresses not only the criminal manifestations of kidnapping but also the political, social, and institutional factors that sustain it.

For readers interested in gaining deeper insight into Chief Ike Ofuokwu’s position, as well as the views of other distinguished legal experts featured in the discussion, a copy of The Nation Newspaper of June 16, 2026, is highly recommended.

As always, Pen Master remains committed to celebrating and highlighting Anioma sons and daughters who are making meaningful contributions to society and positively shaping public discourse. We will continue to seek out and showcase individuals whose achievements, courage, and service inspire others and advance the common good.This version reads more like a professional newspaper feature or community spotlight piece while preserving the praise and local-interest angle.