What You Need to Know
The Nigerian government has attributed a recent wave of kidnappings in the northwest and central regions to Boko Haram and ISWAP. However, analysts dispute this assertion, suggesting that local criminal gangs, known as bandits, are responsible. The government has not provided evidence to support its claims, raising concerns about the true nature of the security crisis in Nigeria.
Africa. The Nigerian government has stated that the groups Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) are behind the recent wave of kidnappings in northwest and central Nigeria. However, analysts have questioned the validity of this claim, telling a local source that criminal gangs known locally as “bandits” are responsible.
This is the first time the government has announced who it believes is responsible for the kidnappings, but it has not provided any evidence to support its allegations.
Kidnapping for ransom has become a lucrative trade in parts of Nigeria in recent years, with perpetrators ranging from kidnapping gangs to separatists, but officials consistently deny paying ransoms.
In just the past two weeks, three mass kidnappings have occurred in the region:
November 17 – In Maga, Kebbi State, at a government girls’ comprehensive school. Two people were killed, and 25 were kidnapped, including a teacher – all of whom are now free.
November 18 – In Iroko, Kwara State, at the Apostolic Church. Two people were killed, and 38 were kidnapped – all have since been released.
November 21 – In Babiri, Niger State, at St. Mary’s Catholic School. Reports indicated that more than 250 children and 12 faculty members were kidnapped, although officials have questioned these figures. Paying ransoms is prohibited in Nigeria, despite widespread allegations of ignoring this ban.
In an interview, the presidential spokesperson, Sunday Dare, refrained from disclosing whether any money had been paid to secure the release of the recently freed hostages, stating only, “Whatever the operations involved – whether kinetic or non-kinetic, negotiations or otherwise – they have been successful.”
When asked about who is responsible for the kidnappings, he replied, “The abundant data – both nationally and internationally – clearly reveals that ISWAP is widespread. Boko Haram’s remnants are also present.”
ISWAP is a splinter group of Boko Haram, which has been waging an insurgency in northeast Nigeria for over a decade. Dare reiterated President Bola Tinubu’s promise to ensure the rescue of the remaining kidnapped individuals but did not provide guarantees regarding how long this would take.
Analyst Bulama Bukarti told a local source that he disagrees with the government’s claims that armed groups are behind the recent wave of kidnappings. He stated, “I do not believe this is true. There is no presence of ISWAP or Boko Haram cells in the northwest. The recent kidnappings, including mass abductions, were carried out by bandits, not Boko Haram or ISWAP.”
Bandits are local armed groups, often riding motorcycles, without central organization, primarily active in the northwest. In contrast, Boko Haram and ISWAP operate mainly hundreds of miles away in northeast Nigeria.
According to a local source, BBC requested the assessment of the three kidnappings from the international monitoring group “ACLED,” which analyzes attacks by armed groups. ACLED reported that the militias, known locally as “bandits,” are responsible for the kidnappings in all three cases.
They added that the largest recent kidnapping, which reportedly involved the abduction of over 200 students from St. Mary’s Catholic School, “appears to have been carried out partly to provoke the government and achieve some political objectives.”
International attention has focused on Nigeria’s security crisis in recent weeks after U.S. President Donald Trump threatened to send “heavily armed” troops if “the government continues to allow Christians to be killed.” Nigerian officials and analysts state that individuals of all religions are victims of violence and kidnapping, denying any targeting of Christians.
In recent years, Nigeria has faced a significant increase in kidnapping incidents, particularly for ransom. This trend has been fueled by the activities of various armed groups, including Boko Haram and ISWAP, as well as local criminal gangs. The Nigerian government has struggled to effectively address the security challenges posed by these groups, leading to widespread fear and instability in affected regions.
The emergence of banditry as a major threat has complicated the security landscape in Nigeria. While Boko Haram and ISWAP have been active in the northeast, bandits operate primarily in the northwest, often targeting schools and communities.
