Amnesty International has raised concerns over a worsening abduction crisis in Nigeria, reporting that a minimum of 1,100 individuals were kidnapped in the country's northern regions from January to April 2026. The organisation is urging President Bola Tinubu to implement prompt and decisive measures to address the escalating insecurity.
The human rights group stated that the surge in kidnappings, which have predominantly affected rural communities and internally displaced persons (IDPs), has reached critical levels. Those abducted often endure severe mistreatment, including torture, starvation, and rape, while held captive.
According to the report, these abductions, largely carried out by armed factions seeking ransom, have become increasingly prevalent and brutal, with victims frequently held for extended periods under dire circumstances.
Nigeria's Director at Amnesty International, Isa Sanusi, indicated that armed groups across the nation are escalating attacks on vulnerable populations, combining mass killings with large-scale abductions for financial gain. He also suggested that the reported figures likely do not fully represent the extent of the crisis.
The report details several significant abduction incidents across the affected states.
On February 3rd, assailants invaded Woro village in Kaiama Local Government Area, Kwara State, resulting in the deaths of approximately 200 people and the abduction of 176 others.
In Zamfara State, around 150 individuals, predominantly women and children, were taken in early April during attacks on Kurfa Danya and Kurfan Magaji villages within the Bukkuyum Local Government Area.
During attacks on March 19th, suspected Boko Haram militants abducted over 100 displaced individuals who were working in the Kumbul forest near Mafa, Borno State. Earlier, on March 3rd, the group attacked Ngoshe town in Gwoza Local Government Area, taking more than 400 people and surrounding the community.
Further incidents documented include the abduction of 57 people in Niger State on January 3rd. Additionally, on February 19th, 92 people were taken in separate incidents across Zamfara State, with 42 abducted in Anka and 50 in Tsafe Local Government Areas.
On March 22nd, worshippers numbering 30 were abducted from three churches in the Kachia Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
An attack on March 30th saw 18 passengers kidnapped from a highway in Zamfara State while travelling from Abuja to Sokoto.
On January 18th, gunmen stormed three churches in Kurmin Wali village, Kajuru Local Government Area, Kaduna State, abducting at least 166 people during a morning service.
Reports later indicated that these victims were subsequently released.
Amnesty International has also collected testimonies from individuals affected by these abductions.
A survivor from Woro village shared that 176 people, including family members, were taken by gunmen and remain captive almost two months after the incident.
The organisation highlighted that in numerous cases, abductions were accompanied by fatalities, looting, and the destruction of property.
Families are frequently compelled to liquidate assets or depend on community support to meet ransom demands, facing severe repercussions if they are unable to comply.
Beyond the immediate violence, Amnesty International expressed concerns about the broader social and economic ramifications, particularly on the education sector.
The fear of abductions is reportedly forcing thousands of children to leave school, with some families resorting to withdrawing girls from education and arranging early marriages as a protective measure.
The group also pointed out that many abductions, especially in remote locations, go unreported, suggesting that the actual victim count might be substantially higher than documented.
Amnesty International asserted that Nigerian authorities have failed to fulfill their constitutional and international obligations concerning the protection of lives and the provision of security, labelling the situation a grave violation of human rights commitments.
Consequently, the organisation has urged the federal government to take immediate and concrete actions to enhance security in affected areas, ensure the safe recovery of all abducted individuals, and prosecute those responsible for these crimes.
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