Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
Amnesty International has raised alarm over what it describes as a worsening wave of abductions across northern Nigeria, stating that at least 1,100 people were kidnapped between January and April 2026, and urging the Federal Government to take urgent and decisive action to address the deteriorating security situation.
In a statement published on its official X account, the human rights organisation called on President Bola Tinubu’s administration to intensify efforts to protect rural communities and internally displaced persons who, it said, have become frequent targets of armed groups operating across several states in the northern region. It warned that the scale and frequency of attacks reflected a deepening humanitarian and human rights crisis.
Amnesty International said victims of abductions are often subjected to severe abuses, including torture, starvation, rape, and forced participation in violent activities, adding that many remain in captivity for months under harsh conditions while families struggle to secure their release.
The organisation’s Nigeria director, Isa Sanusi, stated that the figures reported by the group likely underestimate the true scale of the crisis, noting that many incidents go unreported due to fear, insecurity, and limited access to affected communities. He said the situation represents a pattern of violence driven largely by ransom-seeking armed groups that have expanded their operations across rural areas.
The report referenced several violent incidents across different states to illustrate the scope of the crisis. Among them was an attack in Woro village in Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State in February, where dozens of residents were reportedly killed and more than 170 people abducted during a large-scale raid. Amnesty also cited an early April incident in Bukkuyum Local Government Area of Zamfara State in which about 150 people were kidnapped.
In Borno State, the organisation referred to multiple mass abductions, including an incident in March near Mafa where more than 100 internally displaced persons were reportedly seized by armed fighters, as well as another reported case in Ngoshe, Gwoza Local Government Area, where over 400 people were allegedly abducted.
Additional cases highlighted included the kidnapping of 57 people in Niger State in January and the abduction of 92 individuals in Zamfara State in February, with victims taken during coordinated attacks on rural communities. The group also referenced the abduction of passengers travelling from Abuja to Sokoto in March, as well as multiple attacks in Kaduna State where worshippers were reportedly seized during a church service.
Amnesty further described an incident in Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State where armed attackers invaded churches during morning worship, abducting more than 160 people, although it noted that those victims were later released. These incidents, the organisation said, reflect a pattern of repeated assaults on both civilians and places of worship.
The report also included testimonies from survivors and community members affected by the violence. One resident of Woro community in Kwara State described the emotional and psychological toll of the attack, stating that family members had been taken and that video evidence showed victims still in captivity months after the incident. The account highlighted the prolonged suffering of families unable to secure the release of their loved ones.
Amnesty International warned that in many cases, abductors also kill victims, loot homes, and burn property, leaving entire communities devastated. It said families are often forced to sell belongings or rely on community fundraising efforts to meet ransom demands, while those unable to pay face prolonged captivity, torture, or death.
The organisation also expressed concern over the broader social consequences of the crisis, noting that fear of abduction is disrupting education across affected regions. According to the statement, many children have been withdrawn from school due to insecurity, while in some communities underage girls are being pushed into early marriages as families attempt to reduce the risk of abduction.
Amnesty International criticised the Nigerian government for what it described as a failure to meet its constitutional and international obligations to protect citizens. It argued that the continued inability to stop mass abductions represents a serious breach of human rights obligations under both national law and international treaties to which Nigeria is a signatory.
The report comes amid ongoing national concern over insecurity in the North-West and North-East regions, where armed banditry, insurgency, and kidnapping have remained persistent challenges despite sustained military operations and security interventions.
In response to recent violence, President Bola Tinubu has reiterated his administration’s commitment to supporting the armed forces, stating that government will continue to provide necessary equipment and welfare support to security personnel engaged in counterinsurgency operations across the country.
The President’s remarks followed recent attacks on military formations in Borno State, where senior officers and soldiers were killed in clashes with suspected insurgents, underscoring the continued volatility of security conditions in parts of the North-East.
Security analysts note that the scale of abductions reported by Amnesty International reflects a broader pattern of escalating violence that has persisted over recent years, particularly in rural and hard-to-reach areas where state presence remains limited.
Community leaders and civil society groups have repeatedly called for strengthened intelligence gathering, improved rapid response capabilities, and expanded protection for vulnerable populations, particularly in remote settlements frequently targeted by armed groups.
As the crisis continues, humanitarian concerns are also growing, with displaced families facing increasing economic hardship, disrupted livelihoods, and limited access to essential services including healthcare, education, and shelter.
The latest report has renewed calls for coordinated national and regional responses to address the underlying drivers of insecurity, including poverty, weak governance structures, and the proliferation of illegal arms.
Amnesty International concluded that without urgent and sustained intervention, the ongoing wave of abductions risks further entrenching fear and instability across large parts of northern Nigeria, with long-term consequences for both human rights and national development.
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