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By Dipo Adeda-Osinloye
The abduction of over 340 schoolgirls in Jangebe, Zamfara State, Nigeria, on February 27, 2021, was a horrific event that highlighted the growing threat of school kidnappings in the country. The girls were released six days later, but the incident had a lasting impact on them, their families, and the community.
The Jangebe kidnapping occurred nearly seven years after the abduction of over 270 schoolgirls in Chibok, Borno State, Nigeria, in April 2014. While the two incidents were separated by time and distance, they showed how leadership in times of crisis matters and how leadership can change the course of a bad situation..
In the aftermath of the Chibok kidnapping, the Nigerian government was criticized for its slow and indecisive response. It took several days for the government to acknowledge the kidnapping, and even longer for it to launch a rescue operation.
In contrast, the Nigerian government’s response to the Jangebe kidnapping was much more prompt and decisive. Within hours of the kidnapping, the government had deployed troops to the area and launched a rescue operation. This prompt response was essential to the safe release of the Jangebe schoolgirls.
Lesson 1: The importance of coordination and communication
A major key difference between the government’s response to the Chibok and Jangebe kidnappings was the level of coordination and communication. In the aftermath of the Chibok kidnapping, there was widespread confusion and uncertainty about the government’s response. Different government agencies were providing conflicting information, and the public was left in the dark.
In contrast, the government’s response to the Jangebe kidnapping was much more coordinated and communicative. The government established a central command center to coordinate the rescue operation, and it provided regular updates to the public. This improved coordination and communication helped to build trust and confidence in the government’s response.
Lesson 2: The importance of transparency and accountability
In the aftermath of the Chibok kidnapping, the Nigerian government was accused of being secretive and unaccountable in its response. The government was reluctant to provide information about the kidnapping, and it failed to hold anyone accountable for the failure to prevent it.
In contrast, the Nigerian government was much more transparent and accountable in its response to the Jangebe kidnapping. The government provided regular updates to the public about the kidnapping, and it has pledged to investigate the incident and hold those responsible accountable.
Qualities of the Government Agencies’ Response
Service
The government agencies that responded to the Jangebe kidnapping did so with a spirit of service. They worked tirelessly to rescue the girls and to reunite them with their families. They also provided the girls with the medical and psychological support they needed to recover from their ordeal.
The government agencies’ spirit of service was evident in the following ways:
They worked long hours and braved dangerous conditions to rescue the girls.
They provided the girls with food, water, and medical care while they were in captivity.
They helped the girls to reconnect with their families after they were released.
They provided the girls with psychological support to help them recover from their ordeal.
Responsibility
The government agencies that responded to the Jangebe kidnapping also demonstrated a sense of responsibility. I must say that lack of responsibility in times of crisis is perhaps the greatest bane of African nations and particularly Nigeria. Everyone will pass the buck and there won’t be anyone to hold responsible. In my book on leadership, “Led to Lead: Moving from Self-Discovery to Self-Mastery.” I delved in details on how the issue of responsibility is the pivotal attribute of effective leadership.
The government agencies’ sense of responsibility was evident in the following ways:
They launched a prompt and decisive rescue operation.
They kept the public informed about their progress and about the status of the girls.
They held themselves accountable for their actions and for the safety of the girls.
They acknowledged their mistakes and pledged to learn from them.
The government’s response to the Jangebe kidnapping was a significant improvement over its response to the Chibok kidnapping. The government’s prompt and decisive action, its improved coordination and communication, and its increased transparency and accountability were all essential to the safe release of the Jangebe schoolgirls.
The government agencies that responded to the Jangebe kidnapping also demonstrated a spirit of service and a sense of responsibility. They worked tirelessly to rescue the girls, provided them with the support they needed, and took responsibility for their actions.
The Nigerian government can learn from the Jangebe kidnapping and improve its response to future school kidnappings and other crisis. By taking prompt and decisive action, coordinating and communicating effectively, and being transparent and accountable,
Dipo Adeda-Osinloye is an accomplished Business and leadership expert. He is also a risk and project management consultant, rendering his services to both public and private sectors in Nigeria, South Africa, and other parts of the continent.
