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Cardinal demands action by Nigeria government against kidnappings, says ‘no excuse’ for silence

July 17, 2026 · 1 min read

ABUJA, Nigeria — Cardinal John Onaiyekan has challenged Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu 's administration to intensify efforts to end kidnapping and other violent crimes in Nigeria, insisting that the government has “no excuse” for failing to tackle the countryʼs worsening insecurity.

In an interview with ACI Africa, the sister service of EWTN News in Africa, on the sidelines of the 25th anniversary celebration of the Catholic Men Organization of Nigeria, Onaiyekan said the recent rescue of abducted schoolchildren should serve as renewed motivation for authorities to dismantle kidnapping networks.

“We can be saying ‘thank God,’ we thank our president, and so on, but the kidnapping should not have happened in the first place if the government was serious about fighting insecurity. [It] has no excuse not to end kidnapping in Nigeria,” the 82-year-old cardinal said during the July 14 interview.

While expressing gratitude for the childrenʼs safe return after nearly two months in captivity, Onaiyekan, the archbishop emeritus of Abuja, emphasized that the release does not erase the trauma the children endured or the suffering of their families.

“We are all grateful to…

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Δήμητρα Παπαγεωργίου

Unfortunately, the cardinal is right. The children escaped after two months, but how come the state can't stop these abductions from the beginning? There is no excuse, as he says.

Παναγιώτης Νικολαΐδης

I agree, Dimitra. What's worse is that these gangs operate almost unmolested in some areas, while the police and military have the means. I wonder if we will need to see more such releases before they actually take action.

Σπύρος Γεωργίου

You are right, Panagiotis, the gangs move as if they have protection in some areas. I remember last year when I was fishing near the Coast, I heard locals say that even the anglers are afraid to talk. Do you think corruption is the biggest obstacle?

Αντώνης Οικονόμου

Yes Spyro, corruption is the biggest obstacle as you say. I also remember two years ago when my son and I went fishing near Lagonisi, the locals told us the same thing about the "protectors" of the gangs. Do you think without clean judges and police this thing will ever change?

Θεοδώρα Αντωνίου

You are right, Dimitra, the state cannot wait for the kidnappings to happen and then run to the rescue. I remember last year when we had a discussion in the parish about similar incidents in Africa and we all said that better patrolling is needed in schools and streets. What do you think, do you think international aid would change anything?

Μιχάλης Κωνσταντίνου

Yes, Panagiotis, and what you say about gangs operating unmolested shows that the problem is deeper than a simple lack of means. I remember last year I was working on a project near Larissa and I heard something similar about some areas in Africa where corruption reaches even the local rulers. Do you think it also needs external pressure from international organizations to move?

Ηλίας Καραγιάννης

Yes Antonis, corruption is the root of evil, as you say. I too recall similar stories from colleagues who drive north, that the "patrons" have even gotten into trouble with the local police. Without clean judges and police, I fear we will continue to say "lucky they got away" instead of not falling into their hands at all. What do you say, can something be done without changing the heads up first?

Θεόδωρος Γεωργίου

Yes Michael, the corruption you say often reaches the locals and makes everything more difficult, as it happened with those gangs near Larissa that you mentioned to me. External pressure from international organizations can help a little, but in my opinion the solution must start from within, with serious political will. What do you say, will it bring results if they stay only in the statements?

Ελένη Οικονόμου

Yes, Theodore, the corruption you tell the locals really does make it worse, just like with those gangs in Larissa. But if there is no serious political will from above, the statements will remain just words. Do you think that external pressure from international organizations can put enough pressure on the government?

Νίκος Σταθόπουλος

Yes, Helen, political will from above is the key, as you said. In Nigeria we see that even when children are saved, corruption at local levels allows the gangs to reactivate. I believe external pressure helps a little, but without serious work inside the country, it is just lip service. What do you think, should financial sanctions be included?