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

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

StatiSense via its verified X (formerly Twitter) handle disclosed that in 2023 North-West had 759 kidnapping cases which was the highest in the six geopolitical zones of the country.

This was followed by the North-Central which had 476 cases, North-East 408 cases and South-South 216 cases.

However, the South-East had 191 cases, whereas, the South-West had 99 cases which was the lowest.

In all, the total number of reported kidnapping cases in the country amounted to 2,149 cases.

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

Herdsmen attacks, banditry and the Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) insurgency are largely seen as the fuelers of the kidnapping cases, especially in Kaduna, Plateau, Kogi, Borno, Adamawa and Yobe States in the North-Central and North-East regions.

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In the South-South, it is assumed that the unresolved issues of militancy in the Niger Delta region was behind the kidnapping cases in the region, while the cases in the South-East can be linked to the disturbing attacks of unknown gunmen and the unrest instigated by the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), who are agitating for the release of their detained leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.

The rise of herdsmen attacks in some communities, especially in Oyo, Ondo and Osun States in the South-West region cannot be divorced from the kidnapping cases in the South-West.

In reaction to the kidnapping cases, the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, yesterday, at the Force Headquarters in Abuja, promised to rescue all kidnapped citizens.

“The IGP assures the public of the safe rescue of all Nigerians in captivity across the country. This is our pledge, and we will ensure its fulfillment,” a statement by the Force spokesperson, Muyiwa Adejobi, read in part.

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