Nigerians must lead fight against kidnapping, banditry – Civil Society Group

By Adejoke Adeleye

The Aviary Association Worldwide (AAW) has called for a nationwide grassroots mobilisation against kidnapping and banditry, insisting that citizens must play a more active role in combating the growing wave of insecurity across the country.

The civil society organisation said the worsening security situation, marked by frequent abductions of travellers, farmers, students and traders, demands a collective response that goes beyond reliance on conventional security agencies.

In a statement issued on Saturday by its Global Publicity Secretary, A. Olaniyi, the group expressed concern over the impact of kidnappings and bandit attacks on communities, noting that the crimes have continued to devastate families, disrupt livelihoods and undermine public confidence in safety across several states.

While commending the efforts of the Nigeria Police Force, the Armed Forces and the Department of State Services (DSS), the association argued that security agencies alone cannot effectively defeat criminal networks without the active cooperation of citizens and local communities.

According to the group, sustainable solutions to insecurity will require a shift towards community-based vigilance, intelligence sharing and increased civic responsibility.

“The security of our communities is not something we can entirely outsource to others while remaining passive observers,” the association said.

“Criminal networks thrive where citizens are silent, where communities are fragmented and where fear prevents people from acting. We must deny them that space.”

As part of its proposed strategy, the organisation urged residents’ associations across the country to establish or strengthen neighbourhood security committees and community watch structures capable of detecting suspicious activities and providing timely information to law enforcement agencies.

The group also encouraged citizens to promptly report unfamiliar individuals, suspicious movements and unusual vehicles within their communities rather than waiting for others to take action.

AAW further warned against the growing habit of sharing travel plans, real-time locations and movement schedules on social media platforms, saying such information could inadvertently provide intelligence to criminal elements.

The association advised parents and guardians to maintain regular communication with their children and wards, while urging schools to strengthen verification procedures before releasing students to individuals claiming to be authorised guardians.

Recognising the influential role of community leaders, the organisation called on traditional rulers, clerics and other opinion moulders to intensify public awareness campaigns on vigilance and community security.

It urged religious leaders and traditional institutions to encourage stronger collaboration between residents and legitimate security agencies in efforts to identify and expose criminal elements operating within local communities.

AAW also expressed solidarity with families whose loved ones remain in captivity, assuring them of public support while calling on security agencies to handle ongoing abduction cases with urgency, professionalism and compassion.

The organisation maintained that one of the most effective ways to dismantle kidnapping and banditry networks is through the exposure of criminals hiding within communities.

According to the group, citizens must view the reporting of suspicious persons and activities not as an act of betrayal but as a civic responsibility necessary for protecting lives and preserving national security.

“Reporting a suspicious individual or activity to the authorities is not an act of betrayal; it is an act of love for your neighbour, your community and your country,” the statement said.

The association concluded that defeating insecurity would require a united national effort involving government, security agencies, traditional institutions and ordinary citizens, stressing that collective vigilance remains one of the most potent weapons against criminality.

It added that communities that remain alert, organised and cooperative with law enforcement agencies are less likely to provide safe havens for kidnappers, bandits and other criminal groups.