In a stark warning, Amnesty International has labeled the surge in kidnapping cases in Nigeria as an “epidemic,” demanding immediate and lawful measures to quell the rising violence and fear. The global human rights organization specifically called on President Bola Tinubu to treat the situation as an emergency and take decisive action.
Recent incidents underscore the severity of the crisis, with over 45 individuals abducted between Otukpo in Benue state and Enugu, their whereabouts unknown. Tragically, a 400-level student, Nabeelah, from Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) Zaria, lost her life in captivity due to the inability of her family to meet a N60 million ransom demand. Notably, her siblings and others remain captive, painting a grim picture of the prevailing insecurity.
Isa Sanusi, Director of Amnesty International Nigeria, emphasized the failure of the Nigerian government to show a concrete commitment to addressing the escalating security breakdown. “We are now facing an epidemic of kidnapping. People in Nigeria are now living on the knife edge. Widespread insecurity and the chaos it causes have been exacerbated by routine kidnapping, as armed groups tighten their stranglehold on the country,” said Sanusi.
The organization shed light on the alarming abuses faced by victims, including rape, torture, beatings, starvation, threats of death, and verbal and physical assault. Shockingly, many cases remain unreported as families fear reprisals even after paying hefty ransoms.
Amnesty International called on the Nigerian authorities to launch comprehensive investigations into the wave of kidnappings and subsequent killings. They emphasized the need to bring those suspected of responsibility to justice through fair trials. Additionally, the organization stressed the urgency of prioritizing the security of all citizens to prevent further human rights abuses.
As the crisis unfolds, it is imperative for the government to take swift and effective action. Amnesty International’s call to address the epidemic of kidnapping in Nigeria serves as a crucial reminder of the immediate need for a comprehensive and robust response to safeguard the well-being of the nation’s citizens.
