Between December 1, 2023, and January 3, 2024, over 380 individuals fell victim to kidnapping incidents across Nigeria during the administration of Chief Bola Tinubu.
Data obtained from the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project (ACLED), a bureau specializing in collecting information on the locations, dates, actors, fatalities, and types of reported political violence and protest events globally, revealed that the abducted individuals encompassed men, women, farmers, children, and students.
These abductions occurred at various events during the final month of 2023 and the initial week of the new year, highlighting a concerning surge in kidnapping cases within the country.
The affected states included Anambra, Benue, Cross River, Delta, Enugu, FCT, Kaduna, Kastina, Kogi, Lagos, Nassarawa, Ogun, Rivers, Sokoto, Taraba, and Zamfara.
Reports from the media indicated an increase in kidnapping activities towards the end of 2023 in Abuja, with the trend persisting into the new year. Notably, around the same time, seven individuals from the Arab Road residential area in Kubwa town were kidnapped.
Since the commencement of 2024, numerous residents in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have reportedly been abducted, including seven members of a single family in the Zuma 1 area of the Bwari area council, just six days into the new year.
On December 10, an attack occurred at the Zone 5 section of the Kubwa Extension 2 Relocation Estate, resulting in the abduction of a six-month-old infant, the mother, and two others. The incident caused panic in the neighborhood close to the National Youth Service Corps orientation camp.
Earlier in December 2023, after kidnapping Ibrahim Oricha and 22 others in Dei Dei town, Bwari area council of the FCT, kidnappers demanded a N5 million ransom. Rashidat Oricha, the victim’s sister, lamented the lack of a support system for their orphaned family.
On December 17, 2023, while returning from an event, the band members of the Nigerian musician Omoba De Jumbo Beats were abducted.
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Another musician, Adeyinka Adeboye, known as Boyebest, disclosed the incident on Instagram, stating that the abductors sought a N10 million ransom for the victims’ release.
The FCT Police command acknowledged the abduction of Abuja residents but disputed the reported number of victims.
Residents of the Bwari area council in the FCT were particularly affected, with three separate housing estates falling victim to kidnappings, resulting in approximately 30 occupants being abducted during this period.
A statement released on Wednesday, January 10 and signed by the FCT Police public relations officer, Josephine Adeh, said, “The FCT Police command is aware of the news circulating about the alleged kidnap of over two hundred persons between December 23, 2023, and January 4 2024 in Bwari and Kuje Area Councils.
“Consequently, the command wishes to categorically state that there are pockets of abductions in the mentioned communities, but the figure is being exaggerated to create fear and apprehension in the populace.”
In a span of three weeks, Yagba East local government area in Kogi state witnessed two fatalities and the abduction of approximately six individuals. Emmanuel Obaro, the representative for Yagba East constituency in the Kogi state House of Assembly, expressed concern about the escalating incidents of kidnapping and armed robbery in his region. He presented a motion of urgent public interest on Tuesday, January 9, during the Assembly session.
Obaro highlighted the potential repercussions of these crimes, including heightened fear and uncertainty among the local communities.
A notable incident occurred on December 29, 2023, when 24 individuals kidnapped in the Adogo axis of Kogi state were later released on December 30.
The state Police command, represented by spokesperson William Aya on behalf of Commissioner of Police Bethrand Onuoha, confirmed this development.
In a separate incident, the Ondo state security outfit, Amotekun, detained 60 individuals, including an ex-convict named Usman Garuba and a 72-year-old informant named Suleman Abubakar, on suspicion of abduction and other offenses.
In Akwa Ibom state, on December 18, a judge named Joy Unwana and her driver were kidnapped by unknown gunmen, resulting in the death of her Police orderly.
Moreover, on December 1, 2023, Kingsley Eze, a priest in charge of St. Michael’s Catholic Church Parish in Imo state, was abducted along with a second individual, Uchenna Newman.
The notorious bandit Kachalla Kawaje, involved in the kidnapping of female students from Federal University Gusau in Zamfara State, was killed by the Nigerian Air Force on December 11, 2023.
This bandit, along with his kingpins, was responsible for the abduction of over 25 students from the Federal University.
The surge in kidnappings in Nigeria has led to significant ransom payments, as reported by The ICIR.
The Police, in response to the abduction of six young girls in the Bwari area council of the FCT, released a statement on January 13, outlining a comprehensive plan of action to address and prevent kidnapping incidents.
The Force Headquarters assured the public of coordinated efforts to tackle the menace and ensure the safe rescue of victims.