1,100 People Abducted in Northern Nigeria Between January and April 2026 – Amnesty International
Amnesty International reports that at least 1,100 people were abducted in northern Nigeria between January and April 2026. The group urges President Bola Tinubu’s government to act swiftly to curb the growing wave of kidnappings targeting rural communities and internally displaced persons. Victims face torture, starvation, rape and forced involvement in violent acts. Key incidents include a February attack on Woro village in Kwara State, where gunmen killed 200 people and took 176 captive. Militants also seized 150 villagers in Bukkuyum, Zamfara State in early April, and Boko Haram kidnapped over 100 displaced persons near Mafa, Borno State in March. A Woro resident described the ordeal: “They abducted 176 people, including my wife and my three daughters. I heard my wife’s voice in the video they posted. It has been almost two months, and they remain in that forest.” Many families must sell their belongings or crowdsource ransom funds. Those unable to pay risk further violence or death. Amnesty warns that the constant threat of abduction is disrupting schooling and driving underage girls into early marriage. The group criticizes Nigerian authorities for failing to meet their constitutional and international duty to protect citizens.
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