Amnesty Raises Alarm as Over 1,100 Nigerians Kidnapped in 3 Months
Human rights group Amnesty International has revealed that more than 1,100 people have been abducted across northern Nigeria between January and March 2026, highlighting a worsening security crisis.
According to the report, the mass abductions occurred across several states, including Borno State, Kaduna State, Zamfara State, Niger State, and Kwara State, with attacks targeting communities, churches, highways, and villages.
The report highlighted multiple incidents, including the abduction of over 400 people in Ngoshe town in Borno State, the kidnapping of 166 worshippers during church attacks in Kaduna State, as well as several other coordinated raids across Zamfara and Niger states, and abductions of passengers along major highways.
Amnesty warned that the scale and frequency of these attacks show that armed groups are operating with alarming coordination and impunity, while affected communities remain highly vulnerable.
The organisation called on the Nigerian government to urgently strengthen security measures, protect civilians, and hold perpetrators accountable, stressing that the rising wave of kidnappings continues to deepen fear and instability across the region.
