Amnesty International has asked President Bola Tinubu to urgently address the growing wave of abductions in northern Nigeria, saying at least 1,100 people were kidnapped between January and April 2026.
In a statement, the organisation said the attacks have largely targeted rural communities and internally displaced persons (IDPs), raising concerns about worsening insecurity.
Amnesty said the scale of the abductions highlights the vulnerability of communities and the need for immediate government intervention.
It cited multiple incidents to underscore the trend.
On March 3, Boko Haram fighters attacked Ngoshe town in Gwoza LGA of Borno state, abducting more than 400 people and laying siege to the community.
On February 3, an armed group invaded Woro village in Kaiama LGA of Kwara state, killing about 200 people and abducting 176 others.
In early April, gunmen abducted 150 people during attacks on Kurfa Danya and Kurfan Magaji villages in Bukkuyum LGA of Zamfara state.
Amnesty said the repeated attacks show a pattern of unchecked violence and called on the federal government to take decisive steps to protect vulnerable populations.
The organisation urged authorities to strengthen security in rural areas, ensure accountability for perpetrators, and prioritise the safety of affected communities.
It warned that failure to act could further deepen the humanitarian crisis and erode public confidence in the government’s ability to protect citizens.
