The Aviary Association Worldwide (AAW), a prominent civil society organization, has strongly condemned the relentless wave of kidnappings sweeping through the country, making an urgent plea for citizens to step up and actively protect their communities from criminal networks.
The Association in an official statement released on Saturday, June 6, 2026, by the Global Publicity Secretary, A. Olaniyi, the group expressed profound concern over the deteriorating security situation.
AAW noted that the frequent abductions of travelers, farmers, students, and traders have shattered families and disrupted the normal rhythm of daily life across multiple states.
While acknowledging the ongoing efforts of the Nigeria Police Force, the Armed Forces, and the Department of State Services (DSS), the association firmly asserted that relying solely on federal security agencies is no longer enough to contain the crisis.
AAW declared that lasting peace requires an immediate shift toward collective grassroots action and civic alertness.
“The security of our communities is not something we can entirely outsource to others while remaining passive observers,” the statement read.
“Criminal networks thrive where citizens are silent, where communities are fragmented, and where fear prevents people from acting. We must deny them that space.
To counter the growing threat, the association issued an urgent, actionable appeal to all Nigerian citizens, urging them to take charge of their immediate environments through the following measures:
Reactivate Neighborhood Watches,residents’ associations must immediately establish or strengthen community security committees to make neighborhoods harder targets, Citizens must report strange faces, unusual movements, or loitering vehicles to the police or emergency lines without waiting for others to do it,Stop broadcasting travel routes, real-time locations, and schedules on social media platforms, which inadvertently provides intelligence to criminal networks.
The Association also advises parents and Guardians to maintain open communication with their wards, while schools must strictly enforce verification protocols before releasing children.
Traditional rulers, imams, and pastors were challenged to use their pulpits to continuously preach civic vigilance and cooperation with legitimate security forces.
Reaching out to the families currently enduring the trauma of having loved ones in captivity.
AAW assured them that they are not alone, while demanding that security agencies handle every abduction case with maximum urgency and compassion.
The group concluded by reminding Nigerians that exposing criminal elements in their neighborhood is a vital duty of patriotism.
“Let us be clear: reporting a suspicious individual or activity to the authorities is not an act of betrayal it is an act of love for your neighbor, your community, and your country,” the association concluded. “Together, we are stronger than those who seek to terrorize us.”
