PDP Warns Banditry Has Become ‘Trillion-Naira Criminal Economy’ as Insecurity Deepens

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has raised fresh alarm over what it describes as a rapidly expanding criminal economy driving the surge in banditry and kidnapping across Nigeria, accusing the Federal Government of worsening the crisis through political interference and weak security strategy.

Speaking on AIT’s Democracy Today, the PDP’s National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, said insecurity has grown into a highly organised, profit-driven enterprise. Citing national data, he warned that banditry, kidnapping and terrorism collectively now operate as “a trillion Naira economy,” suggesting that the scale of the problem is far greater than officials acknowledge.

He criticised the government’s approach to dealing with kidnappers, particularly the increasing trend of issuing public appeals for victims’ release. Ememobong argued that such messaging emboldens criminal groups and projects state weakness.

According to him, the Federal Government should instead adopt a firm, unambiguous directive aimed at halting all violent attacks nationwide rather than engaging in what he called “performative responses.”

Ememobong further accused top officials of indirectly legitimising armed criminality by entering discussions with bandit groups, insisting that such interactions erode state authority. He noted that citizens are barred from carrying arms, yet individuals wielding illegal weapons are being treated as negotiation partners.

“For a government to sit across the table from people bearing prohibited firearms shows a collapse of authority,” he said, warning that the practice normalises lawlessness and signals impunity to criminal networks.

The PDP urged the government to abandon political calculations in matters of national security and confront the root drivers of Nigeria’s growing criminal industry before it spirals beyond control.