Amnesty International has expressed concern over the prevalent incidents of kidnapping for ransom in Nigeria, describing it as an unfortunate aspect of daily life that has left citizens living in constant fear.
“Rampant kidnapping by armed groups has become a part of daily life in #Nigeria,” said Amnesty International. “People in Nigeria are living on a knife edge.”
It added, “Widespread insecurity and chaos have been exacerbated by routine kidnapping as armed groups tighten their stranglehold on the country.”
In a set of tweets on Monday, the human rights organization expressed concern about the undisclosed number of citizens currently held captive by kidnappers.
The organization deplored the instances of torture, rape, and starvation inflicted upon these individuals by their abductors.
“The number of Nigerians in custody of armed groups and kidnappers is unknown. But the victim usually suffers shocking abuse. Several abducted women and girls, including schoolchildren, have been viciously raped while in captivity.
“Those kidnapped by armed groups are routinely tortured. Many are beaten, starved, threatened with death, raped, held blindfolded for several days, verbally and physically assaulted,” Amnesty International said.
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Amnesty International has issued a statement addressing the increasing incidents of kidnappings in the country, prompted by reported cases of abduction.
Bayo Onanuga, the spokesperson for Chief Bola Tinubu, assured that security agencies are actively addressing the issue.
He suggested contacting the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, for further insights on the matter, as conveyed to Peoples Gazette.
“Security agencies are trying their best to curb this problem,” said Mr Onanuga. “The IGP, Kayode Egetokun, said they are on top of the situation, doing their utmost best to arrest all these kidnappings happening in several parts of Nigeria. But I think the best is to talk to the NSA, Nuhu Ribadu.”
Najeebat, along with her five sisters and father, was abducted by bandits on January 9 in the Bwari Local Government Council of the Federal Capital Territory.
The father, released on January 12, was tasked with raising a N60 million ransom for the girls. Tragically, Najeebat was killed on Saturday while her father was striving to gather the required ransom.
In a report on Sunday, The Gazette highlighted a statement from Isa Pantami, a former communications and digital economy minister, revealing that one of his friends had contributed N50 million to help meet the N60 million ransom demanded by the kidnappers for the release of the five Najeebat sisters.