Bandits on Rampage, Abduct 490 Persons in 13 Days

Nigeria’s security crisis intensified over the past two weeks as armed bandits executed coordinated assaults across several northern states, kidnapping monarchs, worshippers, students, travellers, and even a bride, in a 13-day spree that has left at least 490 people in captivity.

The Senate has raised fresh concerns, urging urgent reinforcement of community-based policing as security agencies appear overstretched despite President Bola Tinubu’s nationwide security emergency and ongoing military operations.

From Sokoto to Kogi, Kwara, Niger, Borno and the Federal Capital Territory, communities have suffered renewed attacks that have forced residents to flee their homes, with many victims still missing.

In Abuja, seven mourners — six girls and a 16-year-old boy — were abducted on November 28 at Gidan Bijimi in Bwari Area Council.

That same day in Niger State, 24 farm workers, including pregnant women, were seized from Palaita village in Shiroro LGA.

The upsurge in violence started on November 18 when 38 worshippers were kidnapped during a Thanksgiving service in Eruku, Ekiti LGA of Kwara State, where three people were killed.

On November 23 in Borno State, ISWAP militants abducted 12 teenage girls aged 15 to 20 from a farm in the Mussa district of Askira/Uba LGA; security forces later rescued them.

By November 21, more than 315 people — including 303 students and 12 teachers — had been kidnapped from St Mary’s Private Primary and Secondary Schools in Niger State. About 50 of them reportedly escaped.

On November 25, police confirmed that 10 people were abducted in another incident in Kwara. Five days later, the Kogi State Police Command confirmed the kidnapping of two travellers.

The following day, bandits abducted 21 passengers along a Kogi highway, though all were eventually rescued.

On Sunday, masked gunmen again struck in Kwara, kidnapping the Ojibara of Bayagan in Ifelodun LGA, Oba Kamilu Salami.

In Sokoto State, no fewer than 30 women — including a bride, her friends, and wedding guests — were seized when bandits stormed Chacho community in Wurno LGA early Saturday.

Eyewitnesses said the attackers moved from house to house, throwing the community into chaos.

A resident, Hadiyatullahi Tarah, who first raised the alarm on social media, described the incident as a “devastating blow for families preparing for a joyful celebration.”

He added that the bandits also shot a resident, now hospitalised, before abducting his wife. Tarah warned that the number of victims could exceed the initial 30.

Efforts to obtain official confirmation from the Sokoto State Police Command were unsuccessful, as spokesperson Ahmed Rufai had yet to respond as of press time.

Meanwhile, the Kogi State Government confirmed an attack on a Cherubim and Seraphim Church in Ejiba, Yagba West LGA.

Commissioner for Information, Kingsley Fanwo, condemned the attack, saying the gunmen abducted the pastor, his wife, and several worshippers. Panic gripped the community as residents fled.

Fanwo described the incident as “sad and unfortunate,” noting that early intelligence indicated the attackers had hidden in the area or nearby bushes for days. He also criticised churches for conducting services in isolated areas despite recent attacks in neighbouring Kwara.

In Kwara, kidnappers of the Ojibara of Bayagan Ile, Oba Kamilu Salami, have demanded a ransom of N150 million. They contacted the community early Sunday with their demand and allowed the monarch to speak to his people to verify his captivity.

A family source told The PUNCH that the king confirmed the ransom demand. He reportedly described how the abductors moved him for more than five hours through dense forests by motorcycle before reaching a remote camp.

Salami was taken from his farm at about 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, heightening concerns about rising abductions in the state. The incident occurred days after 10 people, including a pregnant woman and children, were kidnapped in Isapa community in Ekiti LGA.

Kwara State Police Command spokesperson, Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, said she had not yet received full details of the incident.

In Kano, Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin on Sunday urged security agencies to scale up operations following fresh bandit attacks in Tsanyawa and Shanono LGAs.

He condemned the killing of a woman and the abduction of three others during an attack in Yankamaye village, Tsanyawa LGA, warning that bandits escaping operations in nearby states must not be allowed to regroup in Kano.

Senate: Nigeria Can Defeat Terrorism Without US Help

Senate Minority Leader Abba Moro, who chairs the Senate Committee on Insecurity (North-Central and South-South), said Nigeria does not need the proposed US military intervention under President Donald Trump to defeat terrorism.

He argued that Nigeria must develop its own strategy, emphasising that foreign powers cannot solve the country’s internal security problems.

Moro cited examples from his constituency where communities successfully tracked kidnappers and rescued victims through coordinated intelligence efforts. He stressed the need to empower vigilantes, hunters and forest guards, who he said often outperform external forces.

With attacks escalating across Sokoto, Kano, Kogi and Kwara, the Senate renewed its call for a bottom-up security framework that integrates local actors into national security operations.

HURIWA Faults Government Response

The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) condemned the attack in Ejiba, describing it as a “direct affront” to President Tinubu’s proclamation of a national security emergency.

HURIWA’s National Coordinator, Emmanuel Onwubiko, accused the Federal Government of laxity and poor strategy, saying terrorists were “poking their fingers in the eyes of the President.”

He linked the attack to the government’s alleged failure to tackle mass abductions decisively, referencing the November 21 kidnapping of 315 students and teachers in Papiri, Niger State.

Onwubiko criticised President Tinubu for extending the tenure of Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun, whom he labelled “non-performing” and “too old” for the job.

He also argued that nepotistic appointments in security agencies had created strategic lapses and contributed to widespread killings, kidnappings and attacks on Christians and minority groups.

According to HURIWA, the President lacks the political will to execute an uncompromising campaign against terrorists, allegedly due to political considerations linked to the 2027 elections.

“Terrorists do not repent. They must face justice,” the statement read.

Onwubiko issued a blunt message to the President: “Tinubu, stop pampering terrorists. Eliminate them now.”

Presidency Counters Obasanjo

The Presidency dismissed calls for Nigeria to outsource its internal security to foreign powers, describing such proposals as a “surrender.”

Responding to former President Olusegun Obasanjo, the Presidency insisted President Tinubu’s strategies are yielding results.

Special Adviser on Media and Communication, Sunday Dare, said portraying the government as incapable of protecting citizens was “ignoble,” stressing that Nigeria is battling “real terrorists.”

Dare stated that subcontracting security would undermine national sovereignty and argued that Boko Haram’s foundations were laid during Obasanjo’s administration.

He noted that Tinubu is employing both kinetic and non-kinetic approaches, warning that casting doubt on Nigeria’s ability gives psychological advantage to terrorists.

Security analysts say the widespread attacks recorded over the last 13 days validate the Senate’s warnings and underscore the need for urgent reforms. (The PUNCH)