A new report by Amnesty International has raised serious concern over the escalating wave of abductions across Nigeria, revealing that at least 1,100 people were kidnapped between January and April 2026, with most incidents recorded in northern states.
In its latest statement, the organisation called on the administration of Bola Tinubu to urgently address what it described as a “horrifying spate” of kidnappings targeting rural communities and internally displaced persons. Victims, according to the report, are often subjected to brutal conditions, including torture, starvation, rape, and other forms of abuse while in captivity.
Speaking on the development, Isa Sanusi noted that the pattern of violence has shifted significantly, with armed groups now focusing more on mass abductions for ransom. He warned that many reported figures may even understate the true scale of the crisis, as numerous cases in remote communities go undocumented.
The report highlighted several disturbing incidents across states like Kwara State, Zamfara State, Borno State, Kaduna State, and Niger State. These attacks often involved killings, destruction of property, and mass abductions, leaving communities devastated and families forced to raise ransom through extreme measures.
In some cases, entire villages were attacked, with hundreds of people abducted in a single incident. Survivors recounted heartbreaking experiences, including losing family members and watching loved ones taken into forests by armed men, with no certainty of return.
Amnesty International also warned of the wider social impact, especially on education, as fear of abduction continues to force children out of school. In some communities, families are reportedly withdrawing young girls from school and pushing them into early marriages as a form of protection.
The organisation accused authorities of failing to meet their constitutional and international obligations to protect citizens, stressing that the ongoing insecurity reflects a deepening humanitarian crisis. It urged urgent and decisive action to restore safety and prevent further loss of lives across affected regions.