Key Points

• Over 7,000 Nigerians remain in captivity across seven states due to terrorist abductions.

• Hostages include children, women, farmers, students, and traditional rulers.

• Many victims have been held for months or years, with ransom payments often failing to secure release.

Terrorists continue to hold over 7,000 citizens across seven northern states in Nigeria, including children, women, farmers, students, and even local monarchs. The abductions, which have persisted for decades, show no sign of slowing.

The scale of captivity stretches from Sokoto and Zamfara to Niger, Kwara, Kaduna, Kogi, and Kano.

Many victims have been held for months or years, some despite ransom payments. Others have lost their lives in captivity, while countless families remain in distress.

Niger State: Hundreds Still Captive

In Niger State, at least 376 people remain in terrorist hands. Recent attacks included the abduction of students, farmers, and government officials.

On November 15, 42 people were kidnapped in Mashegu Local Government Area, including 16 vigilante members who were killed.

A recent incident involved pupils, students, and staff of St. Mary’s Catholic School, Papiri, where 265 remain captive after 50 managed to escape.

Families and authorities struggle to secure their release, highlighting the organized nature of these abduction networks.

Kwara and Sokoto: Monarchs and Residents Targeted

In Kwara, a dozen people, including Oba Ojibara of Bayagan, remain held by terrorists. Some captives have been in the forest for weeks without clarity on their release.

Sokoto faces a humanitarian crisis with over 500 residents abducted across 13 local government areas.

Analyst Altine Guyawa described the situation as worsening, with victims held in remote forest camps, many unable to meet ransom demands.

Zamfara: Abduction Becomes an Industry

In Zamfara, residents report more than 6,000 victims in over 100 terrorist camps. Each camp reportedly houses hundreds of people, many kept for years. Some victims have been killed even after ransom payments.

Alhaji Ibrahim Sani Wuya, a former captive, recounted seven months in captivity before paying a N5 million ransom for his release.

He described heavily armed abductors and a system of organized terror, calling on government intervention.

Kano, Kaduna, Kogi: Abductions Continue

In Kano, 15 people, including 13 women, remain in captivity after attacks in Tsanyawa Local Government Area. Bandits struck at night, leaving communities fearful.

Kaduna holds hostages in Rijana Forest, with victims abducted months ago still in captivity. In Kogi, despite recent rescue missions, many remain captive, including church members taken during services. Local hunters and security forces have freed some, but a significant number are still missing.

Humanitarian Catastrophe Deepens

The widespread abductions across northern Nigeria reveal a deeply entrenched crisis. Families live in fear, communities are destabilized, and economic activity is disrupted. Experts warn urgent intervention is necessary to prevent further loss of life and restore security to affected areas.