Rising Concerns Over Continued Mass Kidnappings In Nigeria

Rising Concerns Over Continued Mass Kidnappings In Nigeria....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Last week, 20 medical students from the University of Maiduguri and the University of Jos were abducted in Otukpo, Benue State while en route to a conference in Enugu State. Fortunately, the students were rescued without any ransom being paid, according to the government……CONTINUE READING 

This incident marks the latest in a series of mass abductions during President Bola Tinubu’s administration. Mass abductions in Nigeria gained international attention with the kidnapping of the Chibok girls in 2014, followed by the abduction of the Dapchi girls.

In recent years, kidnapping for ransom has surged, especially in the North-West region. Under former President Muhammadu Buhari, these abductions became rampant, particularly targeting schools. Although President Tinubu, who took office in 2023, vowed to end “terrorism and general insecurity,” incidents of banditry and kidnapping for ransom have persisted.

In November last year, National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu called on security leaders to tackle the growing insecurity and launched the Anti-Kidnap Multi-Agency Fusion Cell. Despite these efforts, the government has struggled to curb the menace of mass abductions.

**287 Pupils in Kuriga:**
On March 7, 2024, a gang of criminals abducted 287 pupils from a government secondary school in Kuriga, Kaduna State. The kidnappers demanded a ransom of N1 billion for their release. Although the government claimed a zero-tolerance policy towards ransom payments, questions linger about how the pupils were freed after two weeks.

**24 Students from the University of Gusau:**
In September 2023, bandits attacked the Federal University of Gusau and abducted 24 students and staff. These victims endured over seven months in captivity before being released. It remains unclear whether a ransom was paid.

**61 People in Kajuru:**
A few days after the Kuriga abduction, gunmen attacked Kajuru, kidnapping 87 people. This incident was strikingly similar to the Kuriga attack, leading experts to speculate that bandits were attempting to tighten their grip on Kaduna State. Some captives were later released, but it’s unknown if a ransom was involved.

**17 Abducted in Gidan Bakuso:**
On March 9, 2024, gunmen kidnapped 15 children from an Islamic school in Sokoto, as well as 17 students from a boarding school in Gidan Bakuso, Sokoto State.

**Five Students, Three Teachers Abducted in Ekiti:**
In January 2024, gunmen abducted five students, three teachers, and a driver from Apostolic Faith School in Ekiti State as they were returning from Eporo-Ekiti. The captives were released after six days, and the police later arrested suspects believed to be behind the abduction.

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