The Recent Mass Kidnapping in Nigeria

The recent mass kidnapping in Nigeria refers to incidents that strike across several regions in Nigeria, especially states in the North East and South West. Nigeria has become a country where there is no longer security. The mass rate of kidnappings for the past few years has increased dramatically, since the country gained independence.

 

  Kidnappings means an unlawful arrest which can lead to the death of a person who has committed no crime in one way or the other. Kidnapping in Nigeria has been a constant issue. It has deep roots and there are various ways theses kidnappings are carried out depending on the state of operation. Each region has its own methods and its own particular brand of violence.

 

  In Northern Nigeria, kidnapping is usually common in churches like the Roman Catholic Churches where Boko Haram kidnap some wealthy Christians and also kill some Christian worshippers during Sunday worship. The killings reduced the faith of the christians in the northern region of Nigeria. Also, in the North, Boko Haram attacks farmers and other innocent people. On the 14th of April, 2014 Boko Haram attacked the Government secondary school in Chibok, Borno state. It later recorded that about 276 students were found dead in that night. During this period, Goodluck Jonathan was the president. This issue gained global recognition and criticism towards the government. This brought about the popular movement around Nigeria that was tagged “Bring Back The Chibook Girls”. Nigeria became weak and afraid at the highest level of international awareness.

 

  In the western part of Nigeria, kidnapping is common. It was led by the need of ransom and ritual. The ritual was part of the supposed culture. In the past, human sacrifices were not a taboo as this was done to appease the gods of the land, and to protect their communities. 

 

 In the East, kidnapping became a particular organized criminal business. In  Anambra state, for example, a billionaire was abducted. Their target ranged from the civil servant to the civilians who they demand a huge amount for ransom in naira and foreign currency. Sometimes, they even kill the innocent victims after their families have paid huge amounts of money for their release.

 

 Since Bola Ahmed Tinubu resumed office in May 2023, the rate of kidnapping in Nigeria has frantically increased. The patterns have shifted and the level of mass kidnapping has increased. The confidence of the kidnappers has reached a level that should alarm every single Nigerian regardless of where they live or what they think.

 

On January 2nd 2026, a Nigeria medical doctor, Abu Ibrahim Babatunde and his younger brother were attacked and kidnapped outside their home in Auchi, Edo state. While the family members were busy gathering the ransom the kidnappers demanded for, the kidnappers shoot the younger brother to death.

 

At Oriire Local Government Area, Oyo state, bandits who reportedly struck on motorbikes, attacked three separate institutions which are: Baptist Nusery and primary school, Grammar school, and L.A. primary school. During this process, 39 students and seven teachers including a school principal were abducted into a forest where they have been kept for weeks now. Among these students, two to five-year-old children were in their midst.

 

After they were kidnapped, a teacher was killed in front of the rest teachers and students who were kidnapped, because he was trying to protect his students from the kidnappers. Two days later, a mathematics teacher who was 57years old, Michael Oyedokun, was heavily beaten and injured by the bandits.The kidnappers made a video of the beheading and released the video online for all the nationwide viewing. This was very sad and heartbreaking for those families who are suffering from this terrible situation right now.

 

The Oyo state Government imposed a curfew in 10 Local Government Areas near the national park to restrict the kidnapping in the Oyo state. All other activities have been put on hold till further notice. Teaching unions have embarked on mass protests demanding that the government should take immediate actions to rescue the teachers, students, and principals of the Oyo state.

 

As it has been seen, kidnapping through stages of evolvement has emerged as a thorn in the flesh of Nigerians. The rise of kidnapping has left the country in a state of fear while the people have been deprived of every right. Nigeria is regarded a democratic country whereas the right to security and life is disregarded. The country we now have is a sham of what has always been. At the earliest stages of kidnapping, there were efforts made by the then government in curbing the situation. However, the present government is a disillusioned one. One which pays no attention to the increasing ratio of insecurity and kidnapping. In the history of countries, there have never been a government as lackadaisical as the present government of Nigeria. Nigerians hereby plead with the government to make efforts befor the people are overwhelmed with the level of insecurity.

Written by:

 Etadafe Oke Perpetual

(Department of English and Literary Studies, Delta State University, Abraka)