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Reno Omokri, Nigeria’s Ambassador-Designate to Mexico, has shared a newspaper report from 1969 to argue that kidnapping and banditry are not new challenges in Nigeria, but problems that have existed for decades.
In a post on social media, Omokri published a media report dated Tuesday, April 8, 1969, which highlighted incidents of criminal activities similar to what Nigerians currently describe as banditry and kidnapping.
According to him, the report serves as evidence that insecurity has long been part of the country’s history and that the rise of social media has only made such incidents more visible and widely discussed.
“This malaise has been with us for decades. Social media has only made it possible to bring it into the immediate spotlight,” Omokri stated.
The former presidential aide expressed optimism that Nigeria would eventually overcome the security challenges confronting the nation. He commended the efforts of the country’s military and paramilitary agencies in tackling criminal activities and terrorism.
Omokri further urged Nigerians to support security agencies in the fight against insecurity, stressing that collective efforts would be necessary to defeat banditry and terrorism.
“Nevertheless, by the grace of God and the joint efforts of all Nigerians, especially our military and paramilitary forces, Nigeria will defeat banditry and terrorism,” he added.
His comments come amid ongoing national conversations about the growing cases of kidnapping, bandit attacks, and terrorism across parts of the country, with many Nigerians calling for stronger measures to address insecurity.
