By Peter Omopo
Human rights organisation Amnesty International has called on the Federal Government to take urgent and decisive action to address the worsening insecurity in northern Nigeria, revealing that at least 1,100 people were abducted between January and April 2026.
In a statement released on Sunday, the organisation urged the administration of Bola Ahmed Tinubu to prioritise the protection of citizens, particularly those in rural communities and internally displaced persons’ camps, who have increasingly become targets of mass abductions.
According to Amnesty International, victims of these attacks are often subjected to severe abuses, including torture, starvation, rape, and in some cases, forced participation in violent activities.
The group’s Nigeria Director, Isa Sanusi, described the situation as a deepening crisis, noting that the scale of abductions across the country is likely higher than reported figures.
He cited multiple incidents across several states, including a February attack on Woro village in Kwara State where about 200 people were reportedly killed and 176 abducted. Other cases highlighted include the abduction of 150 persons in Zamfara State in early April, over 100 displaced persons kidnapped near Mafa in Borno State, and more than 400 people taken in Ngoshe, Gwoza Local Government Area.
Additional incidents include the kidnapping of 57 people in Niger State in January and the abduction of 18 passengers travelling from Abuja to Sokoto in late March. The organisation also referenced a mass abduction of at least 166 worshippers during a church service in Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
Amnesty International warned that the surge in abductions is placing immense pressure on affected communities, with families often forced to sell their belongings or rely on communal fundraising to secure the release of loved ones. In some cases, victims who cannot meet ransom demands are reportedly killed or subjected to further abuse.
The organisation also noted that the persistent threat of kidnapping is disrupting education in the region, as many children are withdrawn from school, while underage girls are pushed into early marriages as a form of protection.
It further criticised Nigerian authorities for failing to meet their constitutional and international obligations to safeguard lives and property, describing the situation as a serious breach of human rights commitments under both domestic and international frameworks.
Amnesty’s warning comes amid ongoing concerns over banditry and insurgency in northern Nigeria. In a recent response to a separate attack in Borno State, President Tinubu reaffirmed the government’s commitment to supporting the Armed Forces and strengthening security operations across the country.
The organisation, however, insisted that more coordinated and sustained efforts are required to curb the growing wave of abductions and restore public confidence in the nation’s security architecture.
