Soludo Blames ‘Igbo Youths in Forest Camps’ for Rising Kidnappings, Sparks Debate Across Southeast

Soludo Blames ‘Igbo Youths in Forest Camps’ for Rising Kidnappings, Sparks Debate Across Southeast

Governor Charles Soludo has stirred intense debate across Nigeria’s southeast after asserting that many kidnappers operating in forest camps within the region are local Igbo youths who claim affiliation with Biafran agitation but are primarily motivated by financial gain.

In remarks that have drawn widespread reaction, Soludo said individuals who had abandoned motorcycle transport work, commonly known as “okada,” were entering forest enclaves and presenting themselves as Biafran agitators while engaging in kidnapping for ransom. He described the practice as both criminal and sacrilegious, arguing that it undermines the moral and political foundations of Igbo society.

“It is our Igbo children that camped inside our bushes, found out that kidnapping is very lucrative, then eventually turned it into a business,” the governor stated. He questioned how acts such as abduction and beheading could advance any legitimate political cause, saying such violence had brought deep shame and disruption to communities across Igbo land.

Soludo, who has consistently positioned his administration as uncompromising on security, suggested that criminal elements were exploiting separatist rhetoric to mask purely economic motives. He said some individuals who struggled economically, including those unable to sustain livelihoods in commercial motorcycle operations, had turned to kidnapping as a faster route to income.

The governor’s comments come against the backdrop of persistent insecurity in parts of southeastern Nigeria, including targeted killings, attacks on security personnel and abductions. Although some of these incidents have been attributed by authorities to separatist-linked groups, the precise motivations and affiliations behind many attacks remain contested and complex.

The federal government designated the Indigenous People of Biafra as a terrorist organization in 2017, a move the group has repeatedly challenged. IPOB has denied responsibility for certain violent acts attributed to it and has insisted that criminal gangs are sometimes misidentified as members of its network. The group’s armed wing, the Eastern Security Network, was formed to defend southeastern communities from armed herders and bandits, according to statements by IPOB leadership. However, security agencies have linked elements of the ESN to attacks on state facilities and personnel.

Soludo did not present specific operational data to substantiate his assertion that most kidnappers in southeastern forests are Igbo youths posing as agitators. Nonetheless, his comments reflect a broader concern among regional leaders that criminality is being conflated with political agitation, complicating both security responses and public perception.

In Anambra State, where Soludo has prioritized aggressive security reforms, authorities have launched joint operations combining state security outfits and federal forces to dismantle criminal camps. The governor has also introduced measures aimed at tightening surveillance and regulating local transport activities, including motorcycle operations in certain urban areas.

Community reactions to Soludo’s remarks have been mixed. Some residents and civic leaders have welcomed what they see as candid acknowledgment of internal challenges, arguing that the region must confront criminal behavior within its own ranks rather than externalize blame. Others, however, have cautioned against broad generalizations that may stigmatize entire groups of youths or conflate socio-economic hardship with criminal intent.

Security analysts note that kidnapping for ransom has evolved into a nationwide threat affecting multiple regions, not limited to the southeast. In several parts of Nigeria, criminal groups exploit dense forests and porous boundaries to conduct abductions, often negotiating payments through informal channels. The economic incentives, coupled with limited employment opportunities in some areas, have contributed to the persistence of the crime.

Soludo’s remarks also touch on deeper socio-political tensions surrounding Biafran agitation. The quest for an independent Biafra has historical roots dating back to Nigeria’s civil war between 1967 and 1970. Contemporary agitation, driven largely by IPOB and other advocacy groups, has been fueled by grievances over political representation, economic marginalization and perceived injustice. Critics of violent tactics argue that criminal acts undermine legitimate advocacy and alienate potential sympathizers.

Human rights observers have emphasized the need for balanced approaches that distinguish between peaceful political expression and criminal violence. They argue that conflating all agitation with armed criminality risks further polarization, while ignoring criminal elements operating under political cover weakens the rule of law.

Soludo’s administration has pledged continued collaboration with security agencies to dismantle forest camps and restore confidence among residents. In previous addresses, he has framed the security crisis not only as a law enforcement issue but also as a moral challenge requiring community introspection.

As debates unfold, the governor’s statements are likely to reverberate beyond Anambra, shaping conversations across southeastern states about accountability, identity and the path toward stability. The central question he posed—whether violent kidnapping can ever serve as a vehicle for political liberation—has struck a chord in a region grappling with both historical memory and present-day insecurity.

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