*June 12: CAPPA Says Rampant Kidnappings Undermine Democracy, Urges Govt Action Before 2027 Polls*

*June 12: CAPPA Says Rampant Kidnappings Undermine Democracy, Urges Govt Action Before 2027 Polls*

 

Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa has warned that the surge in kidnappings and violent crimes across Nigeria is eroding the foundations of democratic governance and could compromise the credibility of the 2027 general elections.

 

Marking the 33rd anniversary of the June 12, 1993 presidential election and 27 years of unbroken civilian rule, the organisation said the safety of citizens remains the first test of any democracy. It argued that widespread fear of banditry, terrorism, and communal attacks now limits basic freedoms and public participation in governance.

 

According to CAPPA, available records show that 4,722 Nigerians were abducted in 997 separate incidents between July 2024 and June 2025. Within the same period, 762 lives were lost to kidnapping-related violence, while families paid an estimated N2.57 billion in ransom to secure the release of loved ones.

 

Assistant Executive Director Zikora Ibeh described the continued abduction of children, women, and young girls as especially disturbing. She said viral videos of hostages being tortured to compel ransom payments have laid bare the trauma families face and the impunity with which criminal networks operate.

 

“No citizen should be forced to beg for their life on camera. No parent should live with the daily anguish of a missing child. These incidents reflect a fundamental breach of the state’s duty to protect lives and property,” Ibeh said.

 

CAPPA called on federal authorities and security agencies to prioritize the rescue of all Nigerians still in captivity and ensure perpetrators are tracked, arrested, and prosecuted. The group insisted that criminal gangs must face clear consequences to deter future attacks and restore public trust.

 

The organisation also asked government to improve communication with citizens on rescue operations and preventive measures. It noted that silence from officials fuels speculation and deepens the sense of abandonment among affected communities, even when operational secrecy is required.

 

With the 2027 elections approaching, CAPPA warned that unchecked insecurity could suppress voter turnout and civic engagement. It said displaced communities already face major barriers to registration and voting, and fear of violence could exclude large numbers of Nigerians from the democratic process.

 

To reverse the trend, the group recommended increased funding for intelligence gathering, community policing, and early warning systems. It also called for better welfare for security personnel, stronger collaboration between agencies and local leaders, and consistent prosecution of criminal syndicates.

 

CAPPA further urged governments to tackle root causes of violence, including poverty, youth unemployment, corruption, weak institutions, environmental stress, and social exclusion.

 

Reflecting on June 12, the organisation said the day represents the principle that sovereignty belongs to the people. That principle, it argued, is hollow if citizens cannot travel, farm, trade, or vote without fear.

 

“Protecting democracy means protecting Nigerians,” Ibeh stated. “Government must move swiftly to free those in captivity, dismantle criminal networks, and rebuild public confidence. That is the basic duty of a democratic state, and the measure by which citizens will judge it.”