When crime goes unpunished, impunity, chaos become the culture By Lai Gidado
When crime goes unpunished, impunity, chaos become the culture
By Lai Gidado
When wrongdoing goes unpunished, it gradually becomes normalised. A society that fails to enforce consequences for crime inevitably creates fertile ground for lawlessness.
This is the unfortunate reality Nigeria is grappling with today.
I recall vividly in December 1970 when my grandmother and I trekked from Erijiyan Ekiti to Aramoko Ekiti between 5:00 a.m. and 6:30 a.m. without the slightest fear of kidnapping or harm.
It was a time when communities were safe, and people moved freely.
While growing up in Ado Ekiti, my siblings and I looked forward to Saturdays, when we would trek to Erinfun along Ikare Road to work on our father’s farm. There was no fear, only a sense of duty and joy.
Today, the story has changed dramatically. It is deeply troubling that I now feel unsafe even within my own environment. I can no longer sit in front of my house to enjoy fresh air, nor can I stay alone in a mosque within my compound, for fear of being abducted by marauders.
This level of insecurity is both alarming and unacceptable.
As far back as 2010, I wrote an article titled “Nigeria at War with Her Neighbours Within.”
When a friend questioned the title, I explained that the “neighbours” I referred to were not foreign nations, but enemies operating from within our own borders, individuals waging war against fellow Nigerians.
The roots of this crisis cannot be separated from leadership failure. The careless attitude of those in authority, the desperation to win elections at all costs, and the unchecked greed for wealth have all contributed to the escalation of insecurity.
What could have been curtailed early, particularly with the elimination of Mohammed Yusuf and some of his followers, was instead allowed to fester.
By 2011, banditry began to take shape, and by 2015, it had spread widely across the North-West and North-Central regions. Today, the menace has extended to the South, with states like Ekiti, Ondo, and Edo experiencing killings and kidnappings.
It is even more disturbing to learn that some perpetrators, particularly among armed herders involved in banditry and cattle rustling, are not Nigerians, while some local collaborators aid their operations.
The nation has witnessed horrifying attacks on places of worship, incidents that will remain etched in the memories of victims’ families for years. From the Catholic Church attack in Owo, Ondo State, to assaults in Moro, Kwara State, and Bautin, Kwara State, these tragedies underscore the depth of the crisis.
Beyond this, there are reports of foreign interests fuelling violence in mineral-rich states such as Plateau, Kebbi, and Zamfara.
Allegations that illegal airstrips exist within forests for the evacuation of natural resources point to a deeper, more organised exploitation, one in which some local actors are complicit. Entire communities in Benue and Plateau have reportedly been displaced, with foreigners taking over ancestral lands.
The insecurity situation in the South-East presents another troubling dimension. It is difficult to comprehend how groups claiming to fight for the welfare of their people resort to violence against the same population.
Under the guise of agitation, lives have been lost to senseless killings, ritual activities, and internal conflicts over the past decade.
The Role of Youths
Another layer to the insecurity crisis is the growing obsession with quick wealth among young people. The rise of internet fraud and ritual practices—popularly referred to as “Yahoo Plus”, has further eroded moral values.
Disturbingly, cases now emerge of individuals exploiting loved ones, including family members, in pursuit of money. This trend raises serious questions about the moral direction of the nation.
The Absence of Consequences
At the heart of the problem lies a critical issue: the absence of consequences.
In many countries, strict penalties serve as deterrents. In China, corruption can attract the death penalty. In Japan, embezzlement carries severe punishments, including life imprisonment.
In Western societies, citizens generally comply with the law because consequences are swift and certain, even for political leaders.
In Nigeria, however, there appears to be little or no consequence for corruption, political misconduct, or violent crime. This lack of accountability emboldens offenders.
There was a time in Nigeria when armed robbers faced public execution by firing squad at Bar Beach in Lagos.
That era brought an end to notorious criminals such as Ishola Oyenusi, Lawrence Anini, and others. Whether or not such measures are desirable today, the certainty of punishment served as a powerful deterrent.
The reintegration of so-called repentant insurgents into society raises further concerns. Many Nigerians question whether justice is truly being served. Rather than facing trial, some individuals accused of grave crimes are rehabilitated and absorbed into communities, a move critics argue may undermine security efforts and prolong the crisis.
The roles played by some legal practitioners and civil rights advocates also attract scrutiny. While the rule of law guarantees legal representation, public frustration grows when individuals accused of large-scale corruption or violent crimes appear to evade justice through prolonged legal battles.
Nigeria must urgently confront this “war within.” Government must demonstrate the political will to act decisively by:
Identifying and prosecuting sponsors of criminal activities;
Strengthening the justice system to ensure swift and fair trials;
Enacting and enforcing laws that serve as real deterrents; and
Holding political actors accountable for violence and corruption.
The nation must rise above politics and sentiment to restore order, security, and moral discipline.
Nigeria can no longer afford to tolerate impunity. It is time to sanitise the system and reaffirm that crime carries consequences.
Enough is enough!
Lai Gidado 25/3/2026
