Nigeria is witnessing a resurgence of mass abductions as at least 145 people have been kidnapped in Kebbi, Niger and Zamfara states in the past four days.
In the run-up to the 2023 general elections, 792 people were abducted across Nigeria between January and March 2023 alone.
As the political parties are warming up for the 2027 elections, there appears to be a resurgence of kidnappings.
In the early hours of Monday, armed men stormed the Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School, Maga, in Danko/Wasagu Local Government Area (LGA) of Kebbi State, abducting 25 female students and killing a staff member.
The Kebbi incident came just two days after at least 16 vigilante members were killed and 42 residents kidnapped in separate attacks by bandits in the Mashegu LGA of Niger State.
Also, on Saturday, bandits attacked Fegin Baza village in the Tsafe LGA of Zamfara State, killing three persons and abducting at least 64 others.
In another attack on Sunday, bandits launched a fresh assault on Tsohuwar Tasha village in the Ruwan Doruwa Ward of Maru Local Government, abducting 14 people, including 11 women and three children.
Recent reports by Daily Trust indicates that communities in Zurmi, Shinkafi, Maradun, Tsafe and Bungudu LGAs of Zamfara State have faced repeated assaults in recent months, leading to displacement and the imposition of levies and ransoms by armed groups.
Swift rescue pledged
The Federal Government expressed deep concern over the abduction of the female students from Government Girls Secondary School, vowing to ensure their safe return.
This was contained in a statement signed by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, on Monday.
He added, “Our security and intelligence agencies have been issued clear directives to locate, rescue, and safely return the students, and to ensure that the perpetrators face justice.”
The PUNCH
