Hold Your Governors Accountable For kidnappings Daniel Bwala Blows Hot, Tells Nigerians To Face Their Problems.

Special Adviser to the President on Policy Communication, Daniel Bwala, has called on Nigerians to direct their frustration over rising kidnappings to state governors, arguing that security at the sub-national level cannot be ignored.

Speaking on Tuesday, Bwala said the federal government alone cannot shoulder blame for every case of abduction across the country. He urged citizens to “hold your governors accountable” and to “face your problems” at the state level.

Bwala’s remarks come amid renewed public outcry over kidnappings on highways, in rural communities, and around schools in several states. Videos of families pleading for ransom and communities raising vigilante groups have dominated social media in recent weeks.

“Security is on the Exclusive and Concurrent lists, but governors are the chief security officers of their states,” Bwala said. “If kidnappers are operating freely in your state, if your local intelligence is weak, if your community policing is not working, then the first question should go to your governor.”

He argued that many Nigerians spend more energy attacking the federal government online than engaging state assemblies, town hall meetings, or local security committees. “Face your problems. Ask what your state is doing with security votes. Ask what your governor is doing with vigilante funding,” he added.

The comments quickly sparked debate. Critics said the federal government controls the police, the military, and intelligence agencies, and therefore bears ultimate responsibility. Others accused Bwala of “passing the buck” at a time when citizens expect coordinated action across all levels of government.

Supporters, however, said Bwala has a point. They cited examples of states that have invested in technology, local hunters, and inter-agency task forces and recorded fewer abductions than neighbors with similar terrain.

Data from security trackers this year show kidnapping incidents remain concentrated in the Northwest, parts of the North Central, and some areas of the Southeast. The Mandara Mountains border region and several highways have also recorded interceptions and rescues by troops under Operation HADIN KAI.

Civil society groups say the solution requires both federal muscle and state-level coordination, including better street lighting, rural policing, and community intelligence networks…See More