2,149 Nigerians kidnapped in 2023, data reveals; IGP, Egbetokun react

Nigerian data collection organization StatiSense on Tuesday released a report on the number of kidnapping cases in the country’s six geopolitical zones.

StatiSense via verified account X (formerly Twitter) revealed that in 2023, the North-West had 759 kidnapping cases which is the highest in the country’s six geopolitical zones.

Followed by the North-Central region with 476 cases, the North-East region with 408 cases, and the South-South region with 216 cases.

However, the Southeast region has 191 cases, while the Southwest region has 99 cases which is the lowest number of cases.

Overall, the total number of reported kidnapping cases in the country stands at 2,149.

It is believed that the never-ending banditry in the North-West, especially in Zamfara, Sokoto, Katsina States, etc., which have witnessed massive kidnapping of innocent citizens and foreign nationals, has made the zone have the highest number of cases.

Herdsmen attacks, banditry and the insurgency of Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) are largely considered to be the triggers for kidnapping cases, especially in the states of Kaduna, Plateau, Kogi, Borno, Adamawa and Yobe in the North-Central and North-East regions.

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In the South-South region, it is assumed that the unresolved issue of militancy in the Niger Delta region is behind the kidnapping cases in the region, while the cases in the South-East region can be attributed to the disruptive attacks by unknown gunmen and unrest instigated by the banned Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), which is agitating for the release of their detained leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.

The increasing attacks on herders in a number of communities, especially in Oyo, Ondo and Osun States in the Southwest region cannot be separated from the cases of kidnapping in the Southwest region.

Responding to the kidnapping case, the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, yesterday, at the Police Headquarters in Abuja, promised to rescue all the kidnapped citizens.

“The IGP assures the public of the safe rescue of all Nigerians held captive across the country. This is our promise, and we will ensure its fulfillment,” Police spokesman Muyiwa Adejobi said in a statement.

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