By Atoyebi Nike
The United Nations expressed strong condemnation on Tuesday over the recent surge in mass kidnappings across north-central Nigeria. UN rights office spokesman Thameen Al-Kheetan called on Nigerian authorities to take immediate and lawful measures to stop these attacks and bring those responsible to justice.
During a briefing in Geneva, Al-Kheetan highlighted that over 402 people, mostly schoolchildren, have been abducted since November 17 in states including Niger, Kebbi, Kwara, and Borno. Only 88 of those kidnapped have been reported freed or escaped, leaving hundreds still in captivity. He emphasized the urgent need for the Nigerian government to secure the safe return of all captives and intensify investigations into these abductions.
The spike in kidnappings has reignited fears over Nigeria’s ongoing security crisis, which has led to school closures in some regions. The country continues to grapple with Islamist insurgency, particularly in Borno State, where over 40,000 lives have been lost since 2009. The decade-old kidnapping of nearly 300 schoolgirls from Chibok remains a stark reminder of Nigeria’s persistent security challenges.
Al-Kheetan called for prompt, impartial investigations and accountability, urging Nigeria to implement effective measures to prevent further abductions and protect its citizens from this escalating threat.
