For many Nigerians, going for wedding ceremonies, funerals, village meetings and other social gatherings, activities that previously were regular, have become difficult choices clouded by fear.
Sunday Vanguard reported that as kidnapping and other types of insecurity continue to rear their ugly heads in different regions of the country, more individuals are thinking twice before embarking on excursions that used to be regular.
Family obligations, cultural traditions and societal commitments are increasingly being evaluated against considerations for personal safety and survival.
Nigerians are adjusting their lifestyles to accommodate an expanding security concern, from avoiding travel at night to cancelling visits altogether.
Some are still open to travelling for big events with enough preparations, while others say no celebration is worth the danger.
In this vox pop, Nigerians speak freely on how insecurity is affecting their travel plans and whether they are ready to risk the roads for family and social occasions in today’s uncertain times.
Kinship
A writer, Gift Ogiagia, said: “With the increasing insecurity and cases of kidnapping across the country, I am not willing to travel for family or social functions at this time.
“Family gatherings, weddings, funerals, birthdays and cultural celebrations are very important to me but safety has to come first.
“Many Nigerians, myself inclusive, have become more careful about embarking on long distance journeys owing to the fear of being attacked, abducted or caught in security related incidents while travelling.
“It’s unfortunate because these events are supposed to bring families together, keep traditions alive and bring people together. But the general security situation has caused many to reconsider their intentions to travel.
“No party or social event is worth risking one’s life and personal safety.”
Travelling
Social commentator, Bello Isaac said: “The rising incidence of kidnapping and insecurity in parts of Nigeria has understandably made many people more cautious about travelling, especially to rural communities and for social gatherings.
“Family and social functions are important but personal safety should come first.
I am still willing to go for really significant family occasions but only after careful consideration of the security situation, the route to be taken and the safety precautions to be put in place at the destination.
If the hazards seem to be considerable, I would prefer be a virtual participant or postpone the trip, instead of taking risks with my life and my family.
“The current situation has unfortunately affected social interaction, cultural assembly and family reunions as many Nigerians now have to weigh the importance of events against concerns for their safety. “Dealing with insecurity is vital to restoring the confidence of citizens to move freely across the country”.
“There is no more safe place in Nigeria,” says entrepreneur, Olawoye Samuel.
“People travel only when it is absolutely necessary, and they travel with their hearts in their mouths until they reach their destinations. There is poor attendance at social functions.
“Even in the cities, people still get kidnapped. People are being abducted from their houses, not the streets. Villages are being destroyed.
“Government at all three levels has to be proactive and tackle the problem of insecurity, which is getting worse by the day.
Family
“Many Nigerians are now rethinking travelling for family and social functions due to the increasing rate of kidnapping and insecurity across the country,” said another businessman, Segun Balogun.
“Family events such as weddings, funerals, birthdays and village celebrations are important but personal safety must always come first.
I would still be willing to travel for very important family occasions, especially those with close kin. “However, I would assess the security situation in the area, the route to be taken and the available safety measures before embarking on the trip.
“If the risks are too high, I would explore other ways to participate, such as sending support, joining virtually or postponing my visit until conditions improve.
“Conversely, I could turn down visits of less importance for social purposes if security concerns were valid.
“My reasons would include fear of kidnapping, armed robbery, attacks on highways and uncertainty of receiving timely security assistance in case of an emergency.
“No social event is worth putting your life and the lives of loved ones at risk.
“Thus, family and social obligations are still important but security concerns would be a major factor in deciding whether I travel or not.
lack of confidence
The Chief Executive Officer, Hybrid Media Ventures Limited,Ogbuefi Hyacinth Nwafor said: “Many Nigerians still feel emotionally and culturally obliged to travel for important family and social functions but the growing insecurity across several parts of the country has forced people to be far more cautious and selective about such trips.
Nowadays, the decision to go on a journey is not solely based on family ties or social value. Now people take into consideration security reports, road safety, scheduling and the precise place involved.
Many times families choose to delay ceremonies, downsize celebrations or hold them in safer urban hubs rather than in isolated communities.”
“I think most Nigerians still value the coming together of families, weddings, funerals and cultural celebrations because they bind us together in community and social identity.
“But there is no occasion worth dying for. And, without appropriate security measures, it’s understandable that many might want to join remotely, contribute from a distance, or make alternate plans to meet.
Fear
The growing dread of kidnapping has also influenced travel habits.
Many increasingly shun night driving, empty motorways, spur-of-the-moment jaunts.”
“Some only travel in groups, others rely more on air transport despite the high cost.
Unfortunately, insecurity is slowly undermining social cohesion, local economy and the long-standing cultural traditions related to community meetings.
“Ultimately, Nigerians want to stay in touch with their roots and loved ones, but safety has become the overriding concern.
“Many citizens will restrict unnecessary travel, even for the most important occasions, until there is a better security presence, improved intelligence collection, safer highways, and increased public confidence in law enforcement”.
Isaac Bundle, a journalist, said: “To be very candid with you, travelling on Nigerian roads is a big risk that I won’t take if I have my way.
“But sometimes, as a journalist, I have no choice because the job must not suffer under any circumstances.
And that’s why I might be willing to go. But if it’s for a social event, I’m not taking the risk. “I can send whatever I have to the celebrant.”
However, communication specialist, Barnabas Akindele said “Considering the level of insecurity and the increasing incidents of kidnapping across the country, I am not considering road travel for family or social functions at this time. No event is worth endangering your life and safety.
“The government needs to take stronger, more effective action to address these security issues, improve law enforcement and make sure citizens can move around freely without fear.”
“Many Nigerians will continue to avoid unnecessary travel until security is visibly improved”.
Intelligence (IQ)
Mike Osemeke, an internet television producer, said: “I will still travel for important family and social occasions but only after carefully assessing the security situation and taking the necessary precautions.
Family events like marriages, funerals, birthdays and traditional rites are an important part of our culture and assist to establish family links and social relationships. To exclude such events in their entirety can be to the detriment of community cohesion and rob individuals of critical times of support and joy.
“But the increasing cases of kidnapping, armed attacks and other security threats in some parts of Nigeria have made security a big concern.
Before travelling, I would check the security situation on the route and at the destination, avoid travelling at night, utilise safer methods of transportation if possible and stay in constant communication with family members and trusted contacts.
“In some cases, if intelligence reports or local advice indicate a high level of risk, I may choose to delay the trip, attend virtually or send my goodwill messages instead. There is no social occasion worth your life.
“Ultimately, although insecurity has made many Nigerians more careful about travelling, I believe that certain family and social functions still warrant consideration.
The decision should be weighed against the significance of the event and the prevailing security conditions.
“The main priority has to be personal safety, but the social well-being is also based on the maintenance of family and community ties.”
Several
Eteghe Daniel, Manager, Media Services, Mediacraft Associates Limited said, “Currently, Nigerians are faced with many challenges at the same time; insecurity where school children in Borno and Oyo States are still in captivity; hunger in the land; bad governance; xenophobic attacks on Nigerians in South Africa and many more.
“Given the level of insecurity and kidnappings in many parts of the country, I would be reluctant to travel for most social functions, unless absolutely necessary, when it comes to travelling for family or social functions.
“While family events are important, no celebration or occasion is worth risking life. I would consider attending provided I had safe travel plans, a conclusive judgement that the destination and route were safe, and credible security guarantees.
“While family events such as weddings, funerals and other major gatherings are important cultural and social obligations, personal safety must come first.
“I would take necessary precautions such as checking that the route is safe, travelling during the day, keeping myself updated on security alerts, and avoiding high risk areas.
“Even though insecurity has made many people more cautious, family and community ties still matter, provided there are sufficient safety measures.
“It is clear that no part of Nigeria is safe anymore with the way insecurity is spreading across the country, even in the South-Western states.
“It is therefore the responsibility of all to be vigilant and security conscious at all times. Now with so much insecurity at its peak I would prefer be secure and attend future family or social gatherings but not for now.
Activities
Publisher, Adeleke Olubanwo, said: “The increasing rate of kidnapping and violent crime has no doubt eroded the confidence of many Nigerians in attending social events and travelling outside their cities or states.
“While it is important that citizens go about their daily activities and do not live in fear, security concerns have made many people more cautious about their movement, especially when travelling by road or attending events in unfamiliar locations.
“To build public confidence, the government and security agencies should enhance intelligence gathering, increase security presence on major highways and in vulnerable communities, and invest in modern surveillance technology.
There should also be a better cooperation amongst security services to provide an immediate response to security concerns.
“Furthermore, the government should tackle the root causes of crime, such as unemployment, poverty and marginalisation of young people, through long-term economic and social intervention programmes.
“Community policing should be promoted to improve the relationship between the community and the law enforcement agencies. “Ultimately, winning back the public’s trust takes both effective security and visible wins in the war on kidnapping and violent crime. “Nigerians want to see criminals arrested, prosecuted and punished according to the law.”
Scary.
A cleric, Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Duru added:”Yes, I will go, but not carelessly.
I shall go to the village. I should not be fearful, since I am called to educate people how to be men and women of faith.” God protects His people and He will continue to lead His folks. It’s risky but what can we do?
‘No area is really safe. But we are still called to see our relatives and friends, even in remote villages.
“The Good Shepherd doesn’t abandon his sheep, and a priest can’t abandon his people. Prudence is a gift of God given to us on the same day. So I will pray, I will take wise precautions and I will go. The Gospel needs to come to our villages too.
Christ realised the risk of turning his face toward Jerusalem. Luke 9:51 Love goes, and he departed. If God will that I should go, He will grant me grace to go in safety. And if anything occurs, I am in His hands.
“Pray for me, and pray for our brothers and sisters in the village. We do not act for fear, or out of stupidity. We do things with faith.”
Village of
For his part, Harmonie Ugo, a businessman, added: “Insecurity hasn’t been something that should limit my movement when it involves family members or important business I have to attend to, I still make the trip. Now I just plan better. I am more cautious. “I first look at the situation on the ground and avoid risks wherever I can. “
An entrepreneur, Hanatu Bunu, shared his view, “I planned to travel to the village for holidays but with all the kidnapping and insecurity everywhere, I will no longer go.
“I am from the Northern part of the country and even movement within the village is now risky.
“Kidnappers are more daring now that they assault farmers on their farm and at times end up killing them.
“My family recently told me that things are a little better now, but they still have to be very careful every day when they go out to the farm. In my case, if it’s not essential, I’m staying in Lagos.
Worries
Another business owner, Aniagolu Precious, said: “I may not go to the village at this time because of the security issue in the country. I am cautious because of the bushes around some spots, the allegations of kidnapping and the safety problems on particular highways. I would love to go back to my village and be with relatives but my safety is paramount. I would only travel if I am sure the road and the location are safe. I prefer not to take unnecessary chances until then.”
Jesse Ugwunwa, Credit Risk Manager, however disagreed saying “I will travel despite the insecurity but with extreme caution, heavy vetting and far less frequency than before.
Going to the village for big milestones like marriages, burials or traditional festivals, is not only a holiday. It’s important to who we are and how we hold on to our identity. For many, staying away at all seems to be letting the bad actors succeed and communal relationships fray.
But the days of just throwing luggage in a car and going out on a whim are over.
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