Growing concerns over insecurity and the increasing wave of kidnappings in Nigeria have prompted several celebrities to speak out, urging authorities to take decisive action to protect lives and restore public confidence.
Among those who have publicly expressed their fears and frustrations are actress Biola Adebayo, music producer ID Cabasa, actor Kunle Afod, actress Juliana Olayode, and media personality Kiekie. Their reactions followed reports of the abduction of school pupils and teachers in Oyo State by suspected gunmen, an incident that has further heightened concerns about safety across the country.
The entertainers lamented what they described as a worsening security situation, noting that many Nigerians are already grappling with economic hardship and uncertainty.
Actress Biola Adebayo revealed that concerns about personal safety have affected both her professional and personal decisions. According to her, the fear of travelling due to insecurity has forced her to decline work opportunities outside Lagos.
“We need help. The insecurity is getting out of hand and people are scared,” she said in a video shared on social media.
“For people like us who still believe in Nigeria and do not want to relocate abroad, this situation is heartbreaking. Food is expensive, transportation is expensive and now insecurity is becoming unbearable.”
Her comments resonated with many Nigerians online who say daily life has become increasingly difficult amid rising living costs and security challenges.
Music producer ID Cabasa also voiced strong concerns over the persistent cases of killings and kidnappings, questioning what he described as the government's inability to effectively address the crisis.
“The way things are going, it feels like the government is helpless. Innocent people are dying and Nigerians are becoming used to evil. Parents are no longer at ease sending their children to school,” he said.
Expressing disappointment over how conversations around insecurity often become politicised, he added:
“It’s so sad that when you’re supposed to speak up, people take political divided. They make it political, religious, ethnical and tribal. Evil is devouring us in Nigeria and it is so sad. Whatever name they call it; banditry, terrorism is eating us in Nigeria.”
Cabasa further urged Nigerians not to remain silent in the face of violence, stressing the need for collective condemnation of criminal activities regardless of political or ethnic affiliations.
Actor Kunle Afod also joined the calls for stronger security measures, appealing to law enforcement agencies and relevant authorities to intensify efforts against kidnappers and violent criminals.
“Human lives now seem to mean nothing to these criminals. Kidnapping has become too common and people are living in fear daily,” he said.
For actress Juliana Olayode, the issue extends beyond physical attacks to the emotional and psychological trauma experienced by victims, families, and communities affected by insecurity.
“How many more children must go missing? How many more innocent people must die before something is done?” she asked.
“Behind every headline is a family that cannot sleep, a family whose tears can no longer stop. People are living in fear with no hope, wondering who is going to be next, who is next. Children go to school to get educated and they never come back home, the teachers who are going to educate them were killed. There’s no security anywhere, nobody is safe.”
She further criticised what she described as the lack of urgency from those in leadership positions.
“The country is bleeding not just from bullets but also from the deafening silence of our leaders.”
Media personality Kiekie also expressed concern over the growing frequency of violent attacks, warning that Nigerians must not become desensitised to tragedies occurring across the country.
“Something is fundamentally wrong. Every new incident now feels worse than the previous one and people are becoming emotionally exhausted,” she said.
The celebrities' comments have sparked widespread discussions on social media, with many Nigerians echoing similar concerns about the increasing incidents of kidnappings, attacks on communities, and threats to public safety.
As calls for improved security continue to grow, citizens are urging government authorities and security agencies to take more proactive steps to curb criminal activities and ensure that schools, communities, and public spaces remain safe for all.