Do people say in this b;log that the poor is eating the rich. Most rich Nigerians and their political counterparts do not have their children in Nigeria. Their kids are all in safe countries in America, Europe, Dubai schooling. The kidnappers are menacing the few middle class wwho can not afford to send their children oversea. Also kidnapping will continue unabetted as long as we continue to pay ransom. Also corrupt Nigerian Police are neck and deep into kidnapping organize crime ring.

This is a very sad incident and we now should stand in front of the mirror and ask ourselves critical questions. The Nigerian Elites have ruined the nation or robbed it to this pitiable state and the down trodden appear to be fighting back via these vicious crimes. Drivers are employed on 50k (really fortunate ones) or less per month to drive the children of the rich to schools that charge more than $15,000 per annum in a $100,000 SUV.
These drivers if they are opportuned are given a room in the servants quarters of their employees or they look for a room and parlour in the nearest getto to where they work and are expected to keep thier head and never be tempted.
The driver probably has more children than his Oga who emphasises on family planning or simply started his family late and madam's biological clock means they cant go beyond two kids, so the driver has more mouhts to feed.
The Elites and their friends in government do not give a damn about the standard of living of these people they exploit to make their lives easier. The Elites ruined the educational system that will allow the children of the down trodden to break the poverty divide and send their children to expensive schools or out of the country. They have refused to sort out the deteriorating health system since they have access to the 'best medical practitioners' and air ambulance with overseas based health insurance schemes.
Come to think of it in the developed world how many people can afford a driver who will charge between $15 and above per hour for his services as they are professionals and not treated as casuals.
We have stepped on the tail of a vicious serpent in this country and it might devour all of us at this rate as we are heading for total anarchy and gang rule. I hope this child is eventually found

Guys, this is not about poverty but about integrity. The guys doing this kidnapping are richer than my father and mother ever were. And they are not the only poor people in Nigeria. Look around you; your friends, neighbours, relatives. I can bet that more than half of them are poor. How many are kidnappers? There is no doubt that life is hard for the poor. But it is not poverty that drives you into kidnapping someone's child and asking for millions to be paid to you. It is lack of integrity which is now a disease that afflicts most of our youths. This is indeed a SEASON OF ANOMIE.

You took words out of my mouth, when there is nothing left for the poor to eat they will start eating the rich. I pray for the safe return of the innocent boy.

OK, I think "a $100,000 SUV" is an exaggeration. Whoever has looted public money is not an "Elite", as you say. Rather, that person is a criminal. The "Elite" is a different class, of a different time, and still dignified...

Personally, I dislike class wars and classification. Too often, it disregards important stories and the vagaries of life. I have seen parents who would starve just to send their children to good schools (I am a product of such, and every sacrifice is appreciated)... Yes, some send their kids to school on ill-gotten wealth. Others send their kids to expensive schools on hard-earned. Yet, others also send their kids to "ordinary" schools. Few parents these days aspire to send their kids to public schools, anyway, no matter how poor. In my estimation, Nigeria is one of those few places were the adage "No condition is permanent" rings as true as steel. There are many Nigerians who own homes today but don't know where their next meal is coming from.

"The Elites ruined the educational system," you say. Nay, the government ruined it. That one is clear for all to see. "They have refused to sort out the deteriorating health system." Again, that is the job of the government. Nigeria never really had a system in place anyway. As for casual labour/informal employment, we cannot wish that away like a magic wand. Rather than compare ourselves to the "developed world", Malaysia is an adequate example. We both started at the same rung. Malaysia still has a huge informal economy (drivers, housemaids, etc; by the way, it's OK if it is properly regulated. Nothing stops the drivers from organizing themselves. Zimbabwe was an eye-opener for me in terms of domestic work). Obviously, we should hang our heads in shame, but that's another story.

Your argument could be strengthened were you to clearly define the "Elites" you hold in so much scorn. For me, rogues in power are not my definition of "elite", but I share some of your frustrations.

Igbos,please stop this rascality.

Very soon government will grant amnesty to the kidnappers

The rich also cry. Someone must win this rate race or we break the vicious cycle.

14 yrs and still counting, many thanks to PDP for bequeathing to us a chaotic system

Now there is Kidnapping in Lagos, It is not "Fahola is working", it is PDP!, Haba must we blame PDP for everything?

The FG / PDP is in charge of Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies. The buck stops with the FG, otherwise,the states should be allowed to have their own Police. Too much power is concentrated at the center. It weakens the state.

Thank you, Idowu. You just nailed it!

Every kidnap has an insider in it ...
Trace the genesis and u shall find the revelation ..
Pass me the pop corn