UN Urges Nigerian Government to Stop Kidnappings and Prosecute Perpetrators Amid Rising Security Crisis

 The United Nations has raised serious alarm over the alarming surge in mass kidnappings in north-central Nigeria, calling on the federal government to take immediate and decisive action to halt the wave of attacks and bring those responsible to justice. Speaking on Tuesday from Geneva, Thameen Al-Kheetan, a spokesman for the UN rights office, expressed shock over the recent spate of abductions, urging Nigerian authorities at all levels to implement lawful measures that would prevent further attacks and ensure accountability for perpetrators.

The call comes in the wake of a disturbing series of abductions that has seen hundreds of Nigerians, including nearly 350 schoolchildren, taken within just a few days. According to the UN, at least 402 individuals, mostly schoolchildren, have been abducted in the states of Niger, Kebbi, Kwara, and Borno since November 17, with only 88 reportedly freed or having escaped their captors. Kheetan emphasized the urgent need for authorities to ensure the safe return of those still held captive and to conduct prompt, impartial, and effective investigations into all abduction cases.

Nigeria’s security challenges, particularly the persistent threat of mass kidnappings, have prompted widespread concern and fear. Schools across affected regions have closed their doors to protect students, echoing past crises such as the infamous 2014 Chibok schoolgirl abduction in Borno State. Since that time, the country has continued to grapple with kidnappings largely driven by criminal gangs seeking ransom, as well as the ongoing Islamist insurgency in Borno State, which has claimed over 40,000 lives since 2009.

The security situation remains volatile. Just days after the recent attacks, armed assailants targeted Isapa community in Ekiti Local Government Area of Kwara State on Monday. Local vigilantes successfully repelled the attempt, resulting in an intense exchange of gunfire. Similarly, a church crusade in Agboda community, Nasarawa State, was disrupted on Monday evening by unidentified armed men, leaving at least one participant injured with machete wounds. Organizers reported that attendees fled in panic after learning of attacks in neighboring communities.

These incidents underscore the growing insecurity in Nigeria’s north-central region, highlighting the urgent need for coordinated government intervention, stronger local protection measures, and a renewed commitment to prosecuting those who engage in such violent crimes. The UN’s statement serves as both a warning and a call to action, urging Nigerian authorities to restore safety, safeguard vulnerable communities, and uphold justice for all victims.