Nigeria kidnapping crisis 2026
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Kidnappings in Nigeria
The Nigerian government is accused of failing to mount an effective response to the kidnappings.
More than 500 people were taken in Niger State in the North-Central region of Nigeria in one of the latest attacks.
Armed groups have kidnapped thousands of Nigerians in recent years and demanded ransoms for their release.
Nigeria's growing kidnapping crisis
President Bola Tinubu's administration raised the defence and security budget by 10% in December 2025.
In 2020, Zamfara banned a large vigilante group over concerns that extrajudicial killings were driving more violence.
One teacher was killed during the raid on the schools in Oyo state.
Nigeria hunts kidnapped mosque worshippers
Kabir Adamu, an Abuja-based security expert, said it was not possible to say who was responsible for the mass abductions.
News agencies could not verify the exact date or location where the video was filmed.
The Nigerian presidency condemned the attack and pledged those responsible would be brought to justice.