BAUCHI, Bauchi State — Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed has linked the recent abductions in Oyo State to poor governance and poverty, arguing that insecurity cannot be effectively tackled without addressing the root causes of criminality across the nation.
The governor made the remarks on Monday while speaking at a security summit held in Bauchi, where he called for a comprehensive review of Nigeria’s security architecture. He stated that the rising wave of abductions, banditry, and other violent crimes is a direct consequence of governance failures and economic deprivation that have left millions of Nigerians vulnerable to exploitation by criminal elements.
According to Governor Mohammed, poverty creates an enabling environment for criminality, as desperate individuals become easy recruits for bandits, kidnappers, and other non-state actors. He argued that when people lack access to quality education, healthcare, employment, and social safety nets, they are more likely to turn to crime as a means of survival.
The governor specifically referenced the recent abductions in Oyo State, where several residents were kidnapped by suspected bandits operating in the Oke-Ogun area. He noted that while the South-West has historically been relatively peaceful compared to the North-West and North-Central regions, the spread of banditry to the area signals a failure of governance at multiple levels.
Governor Mohammed urged federal and state governments to prioritise poverty alleviation, job creation, and rural development as part of a holistic approach to security. He argued that military solutions alone cannot defeat insurgency and banditry, especially when young people have no economic opportunities and communities lack basic infrastructure.
The Bauchi governor also called for a fundamental review of Nigeria’s security architecture, including the structure, funding, and operational protocols of security agencies. He suggested that state governments should be given more control over local security arrangements, including the establishment of state police forces tailored to the unique challenges of each region.
Governor Mohammed’s comments have generated significant debate among political and security analysts. Some have praised his focus on the socio-economic dimensions of insecurity, arguing that poverty and governance failures are indeed major drivers of criminality. Others have criticised what they perceive as an attempt to shift blame away from security agencies and state governments that have received substantial resources to protect citizens.
The governor’s remarks also come amid growing tension between federal and state authorities over control of security apparatus. While the Nigerian Constitution places the police and military under exclusive federal control, several state governors have advocated for decentralisation to improve response times and accountability at the local level.
Responding to questions from journalists after the summit, Governor Mohammed clarified that he was not excusing criminal behaviour but rather seeking to address the underlying conditions that allow it to flourish. He called on the federal government to increase funding for social investment programmes and to accelerate the implementation of initiatives aimed at lifting millions of Nigerians out of poverty.
The governor further appealed to religious and traditional leaders to complement government efforts by promoting values of hard work, honesty, and community solidarity. He noted that the breakdown of traditional social structures has contributed to the erosion of moral values, leaving many young people without positive role models or community support systems.
As the security situation continues to deteriorate across various parts of Nigeria, Governor Mohammed’s intervention adds a new layer to the national conversation. For now, his message to the federal government and fellow governors is clear: insecurity cannot be defeated by bullets alone; it must also be addressed with jobs, schools, hospitals, and good governance. Whether policymakers will heed this call remains to be seen.
