The Nigerian Police Force has debunked the claims by the Amnesty International report, saying that at least 1,100 persons were kidnapped across Nigeria within three months.
The Force described the figures as unverified report.
Speaking on the report, the Force Public Relations Officer, Anthony Placid, challenged the source of the data, noting that, the organisation did not consult the police before publishing its findings.
“What is their source of information? They didn’t consult the police or cross-check with us.
“We have our records. And they didn’t check with us. If they didn’t consult us, then you should know better. Ask for the source of their report,” he said.
Recall that, Amnesty International had, in a statement, called on the Federal Government to urgently tackle worsening insecurity, particularly in northern Nigeria, where it said mass abductions have become rampant.
Analysis from the organisation stated that between January and April 2026, at least 1,100 people were abducted, mostly in rural communities and among internally displaced persons.
It added that victims are often subjected to abuses such as torture, starvation, rape, and forced participation in violent acts.
According to Amnesty’s Nigeria Director, Isa Sanusi, the scale of abductions is alarming with many underreported.
In a statement posted on its X handle on Sunday, the organisation said, “President Bola Tinubu and his government must urgently address the country’s horrifying spate of abductions targeting rural communities and internally displaced persons (IDPs) in the northern part of the country, as at least 1,100 people have been abducted in three months – from January to April 2026.”
“Apart from killing people, gunmen are now on a rampage of abductions – largely for lucrative ransom. Some stay months at the mercy of gunmen in punishing situations.
“Estimates of the number of abductions by gunmen and armed groups across Nigeria vary, and some of the commonly cited figures vastly understate the scale of the problem,” said Sanusi.
According to Amnesty, more than 400 people were abducted in Ngoshe, Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State, on March 3, while 57 people were kidnapped in Niger State in January.
“On March 30, 18 passengers in a commercial vehicle travelling from Abuja to Sokoto were abducted along Mayanci in a part of Zamfara State.
“On February 19, 2026, 92 people were abducted by an armed group in Zamfara State. A total of 42 people were abducted in Anka Local Government Area, and another 50 were separately abducted in Tsafe Local Government Area.
“On January 18, 2026, gunmen carried out a mass abduction by attacking three churches at Kurmin Wali village in Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State during a morning worship service. At least 166 people were abducted. It was reported that they were released later,” it added.
The organisation also quoted a resident of Woro community in Kwara State who recounted the ordeal, saying, “They (attackers) didn’t just kill; they stole our life away.
“They abducted 176 people, including my second wife and my three daughters. One of them is only two years old. I have seen the video they posted on social media.
Amnesty International warned that the wave of abductions is forcing families into extreme hardship, with some selling all they have or resorting to community fundraising to pay ransom.
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