The Amnesty International has raised fresh concerns over Nigeria’s deepening insecurity, revealing that no fewer than 1,100 persons were kidnapped across northern parts of the country between January and April 2026.
In a statement on Sunday, the rights organisation described the wave of abductions as alarming, warning that it reflects a growing failure of authorities to safeguard lives and property in vulnerable communities.
According to the group, victims of the abductions are often subjected to brutal treatment, including torture, starvation, rape and other inhumane conditions, while many remain in captivity for extended periods.
The Country Director of Amnesty International Nigeria, Isa Sanusi, said the situation in northern Nigeria has degenerated into a full-blown crisis driven largely by ransom-seeking criminal gangs.
“What we are witnessing in northern Nigeria is a crisis of abduction that increasingly endangers lives,” he said.
The organisation noted that the attacks, which frequently target rural communities and camps for internally displaced persons, often go beyond kidnappings, with gunmen killing residents, looting properties and razing homes.
It added that families of victims are usually forced to sell assets or depend on community fundraising to secure the release of their loved ones, while those unable to meet ransom demands risk execution or prolonged captivity.
Amnesty further expressed concern over the growing impact of the insecurity on education, particularly in the North, where fear of abduction has forced many children out of school.
According to the report, some families have resorted to withdrawing their daughters from school or arranging early marriages in a desperate bid to shield them from attacks.
The group accused the Nigerian government of failing in its constitutional and international obligations to protect citizens, stressing that the situation amounts to a breach of provisions of the Constitution and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.
The latest alert comes amid a spate of violent attacks recorded in states including Kebbi State, Benue State, Katsina State and Plateau State.
In Kebbi, Amnesty condemned the killing of at least 24 residents in Debe community on April 5, noting that homes, shops and places of worship were destroyed during the ആക്രമation.
Similarly, in Benue State, at least 17 persons were reportedly killed in Mbalom during Easter celebrations, with over 500,000 people displaced by recurring violence.
In Katsina, the organisation warned that armed bandits continue to raid communities despite claims of peace deals by authorities, while in Plateau, it linked recent killings in areas such as Angwan Rukuba and Jos South to persistent security lapses.
Amnesty also criticised the response of security agencies, alleging that forces often arrive hours after attacks have occurred, thereby allowing perpetrators to escape.
It warned that the continued failure to investigate attacks and prosecute offenders is fuelling a culture of impunity, enabling armed groups to operate with little or no consequences.
The organisation, therefore, called on the Federal Government to take urgent and decisive steps to halt the cycle of violence, ensure justice for victims and provide adequate protection for at-risk communities.
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