Highway kidnappings: Task before southern governors

Brazen invasion of the South by terrorist groups and incessant abductions on the highway both signpost the worsening trend of insecurity in the country. The concerned federal agencies have been less than spectacular in keeping Nigerians safe, fueling insinuations of official complicity in the business of terrorism. But despite collusion and bureaucratic barriers against self-help measures, this is the time for states to further close ranks, collectively jolt the Federal Government to its constitutional duties and reinforce regional security networks to flush out invaders from the South.
  
In a manner never heard of the Lagos-Ibadan expressway, terrorists have lately turned the ever-busy stretch to a theatre of free abduction of all classes of Nigerians. In the last couple of weeks, they have brazenly halted traffic flow to steal, kill and kidnap motorists even in broad daylight. Such had been recorded at the Ibadan-end of the artery, the Sagamu-interchange in-between, and the Kara Bridge end in Lagos. Most recent kidnapped victims include the former Deputy Vice Chancellor of the University of Ibadan, Prof. Adigun Agbaje, who was only released after ransom was paid to the kidnappers. Beyond that corridor, at least seven terrorist invaded Irele Ekiti-Oke Ayo Highway in Ekiti lately, hijacking travellers into the bush. Chilling experiences of survivors are in the public domain. They keep coming with specific mention of kidnappers in their numbers, some in military camouflages, daily execution of victims without ransom value and steady reign of terror in farms and forests in close proximity to villages.