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However, another scary dimension to the security challenges is the introduction of the mass kidnapping of people for ransom or other purposes. Travelling from one location to another, especially on highways, has become a nightmare for travellers across the North Central states.
An incident that happened in Kogi State in December 2025 best illustrates the worsening situation. Some travellers were apprehended on the federal highway linking Kabba to Obajana in the state. They were promptly marched to the forest and profiled. Their abductors placed different ransom tags on each of their victims and started contacting the families. One of the families negotiated a N50 million ransom demand to N20 million, and the kidnappers agreed. But the family pleaded to be allowed some time to raise the funds. The kidnappers never object, as long as the family readily provides daily support to their brother until the ransom is paid. So, each day, the kidnappers would call and list their demands to the family. The list of the daily demands includes some whisky drinks, food items like rice, beans, and semolina, water, and others. Daily, the family was spending as much as N100,000 to offset the cost of the “daily support.” The items are to be deposited at a place in town where the kidnappers’ agents would retrieve and transport them to the kidnappers’ den. The trend continued with that family for a week, after which they were able to finally raise the agreed ransom. The family might have moved on after the release of their relative, but the fact that the kidnapping has already taken a dangerous dimension is unmistakable.
Despite the promise of improved security by governments at different levels, the fact remains that these elements are currently laying siege on the highways, abducting people while also blocking traffic flow. Passengers were taken in broad daylight and forced to trek vast distances. Aside from the highways, people were abducted in their neighbourhoods, their houses and farms, and transported into the bush. Many of the abductees who could not withstand the rigor of such died in the process of trekking or at the dens of the kidnappers.
The kidnapping of defenseless school children was the most heartbreaking and terrible of all. Last year, the kidnapping of students became so common that hundreds of students were abducted from their schools, mostly boarding schools. particularly in Niger State, and forced into the bush until ransom was paid.
The audacious kidnappers operating with impunity are making life difficult for the citizens; their nefarious activities are killing businesses, and farmers can no longer access their farms for fear of being kidnapped. While kidnappings occurred nationwide, they suddenly assumed a dangerous dimension in the North Central, with the highest rates and number of incidents, particularly due to banditry, with mass abduction being common.
Captain Ibrahim Ayede (rtd) attributed the recent surge in kidnapping incidents in the North Central to the activities of the organized militant group and terrorists, claiming that they used kidnapping for ransom to promote banditry and terrorism, adding that kidnapping, in some cases, is motivated by ritualistic purposes.
He continued by saying that many terrorists have been compelled to relocate to the North Central to carry out their evil deeds due to the pressure on them in the Northwest.
Although precise statistics regarding kidnapping incidents in the North Central region may not be available, it is clear that the geopolitical zone continued to be a major hotspot for kidnappings in 2025, especially of students towards the end of the year.
Checks revealed that forests and abandoned game reserves have become hideouts and operational bases of kidnappers in the North Central states. For instance, Kainji Lake National Park (KLNP) and Borgu Game Reserve in Niger State, Pandam Game Reserve, and Wase Grazing Reserve in Plateau State have become kidnappers’ hideouts. It was learned that fleeing bandits from the Northwest take solace in most of these parks and game reserves.
Recall that a member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Jafaru Mohammed Ali, has said bandits are currently using the National Park in Niger State as their harbor and base from which they attack Agwara and Borgu in Niger; Bagudo and Shanga in Kebbi State; Kaiama/Baruten in Kwara State; and some neighboring communities in the Benin Republic.
Kogi State
Bandits and terrorists responsible for a string of kidnappings in Kogi State have been as audacious as described above, as they have been on the loose for some time now. They are terrorising residents of the state, primarily in Kogi West, East, and Central. Their annoying behaviors are especially visible in Kogi West due to illegal mining in the area. Residents of Yagba West, East, Kabba, Isanku, and Ijumu local governments have been living in fear due to regular kidnapping.
There are several instances where bandits attacked individuals and communities, especially places of worship, and whisked the worshipers away. Another notorious spot for bandits is Obajana; motorists were often attacked on the highways in this area, and passengers were kidnapped. Just recently, some bandits invaded the Obajana Operational Base, but they were overpowered by the security men.
Speaking on the ugly development, the Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Fanwo, said Governor Ahmed Ododo has resolved to sustain the momentum and continue to take the fight to the bandits until they are completely wiped off the face of Kogi State.
His words: “The Kogi State government wishes to announce a breakthrough in its sustained war against banditry and terrorism following a series of highly successful precision operations carried out by coordinated joint security forces, including the Army, Navy, DSS, Air Force, and the NSCDC, with the support of the Nigeria Police Force through its Air Wing Component.
“The coordinated strikes and ground battle led to the destruction of several bandits’ camps, the dismantling of their criminal networks, and the neutralization of many of the criminals, with several others sustaining varying degrees of injury. The renewed onslaught, which was executed over the weekend, was strategically coordinated by the Kogi State government with the support of the Office of the National Security Adviser and the heads of security agencies.”
Niger State
Over the last six months, Niger State has seen an unprecedented number of kidnappings, particularly the mass kidnapping of school children. On November 21, 2025, 315 Saint Mary Catholic School students in Papiri, Niger State, were abducted by unidentified gunmen
Despite spending over a month in the kidnappers’ den, all of the school children were eventually rescued. However, still reeling from this, the kidnappers struck again in Kasuwa Daji in the Bogu Local Government Area of the state, killing thirty-five innocent people, mostly Kambari and other ethnic groups, including both Christians and Muslims who had come to the market for their usual trade. Several people were kidnapped during the incident.
The State Commissioner of Information and Orientation, Hon. Obed Nuhu Nana, in a statement issued after the attack, attributed the killings and abduction to the US air strikes on terrorists’ hideouts in Sokoto and Kwara States. Boko Haram terrorists from Kainji Lake National Park (KLNP), out of fear of further strikes, relocated to some parts of Kebbi State and the Rijau Local Government Area of Niger State.
However, a retired army general who craved anonymity expressed deep concern over neglected assets in Kainji Lake National Park and Borgu Council, attributing their vulnerability to banditry and kidnapping, suggesting that Niger State, in conjunction with the Federal Government, should give the park deserved attention and flush out the bandits and terrorists using it as their operations base.
Benue State
The state is not spared from atrocious killings and kidnappings. At the moment, residents of Benue State are bleeding following the renewed attacks, particularly the abduction of innocent people in some communities in the past few weeks.
The resurgence, according to impeccable sources, may not be unconnected to the US airstrike on ISWAP camps in Sokoto State on Christmas Day. Going by statistics, no fewer than 15 people have been abducted across the state since the festive period, while the incessant attacks on farmers have increased, with several people murdered in cold blood.
From Otukpo to Agatu, from Kwande to Ukum, and from Guma to Gwer West, it has been stories of untold hardship for the residents. The chairman of the traditional council in Gwer West local government, HRM Daniel Abomtse, recently raised the alarm about the influx of bandits masquerading as herders who had infiltrated the area, maiming, kidnapping, and killing innocent people.
According to the royal father, “There is an influx of bandits in my domain since the US airstrike on ISWAP camps in Sokoto State on Christmas Day. These people have been wreaking havoc not only in Gwer West but also on the border of Agatu LGA.
Corroborating the traditional ruler, James Ejeh, the chairman of Agatu LGA, stated that his council is presently experiencing a renewed wave of violent attacks allegedly perpetrated by armed herders, which he firmly believes is a fallout of recent military airstrikes in the Sokoto axis.
Ejeh noted that residents of the council now live in fear and uncertainty, adding that: “This situation represents a grave humanitarian and security crisis that demands immediate attention.”
Otukpo LGA is presently the hardest hit by the renewed kidnapping in the state, with no less than seven individuals kidnapped between the Christmas period and now.
The state civil protection guards in the Benue South senatorial district, with the headquarters in Otukpo, on Tuesday disclosed through the security adviser to the governor, Joseph Har, while giving a situation report on the attack on the Otobi-Akpa community in the area, that four persons were kidnapped within the district in the past few days.
The report read in part: “Four persons were kidnapped recently and are yet to be released.” Aside from this, a woman and her son were reportedly kidnapped on Sunday, January 11, and were yet to be released as of the time of filing this report.
Kwara State
Kwara State is another notorious hotspot for kidnapping for ransom in the North Central. It has been dealing with instability caused by the operations of bandits and terrorists for some time.
Recall that thirty-eight worshippers were abducted from the Christ Apostolic Church in Eruku in November 2025, several of them eventually saved by security personnel. Another eleven individuals, including children, were kidnapped from Isakba in the same month.
There are many such incidents, though security agencies are trying to tame the ugly trend; the problem, however, persists, with some captives still being held. Recently, suspected bandits stormed the busy Isanlu-Isin-Omuaran road in Kwara State, kidnapping at least four travelers.
The Nigerian Tribune gathered that over 22 persons are currently being held by bandits in different communities in the Kwara South senatorial district, while the bandits are demanding an aggregate of over N400 million and food and drinks for their release.
The affected communities include Adanla, Isapa, Isanlu-Isin, and Owa-Onire, which are identified as areas not covered by the military emplacements.
It reliably gathered that the bandits migrated from communities like Oke Ode and Babanla Eruku, where the Federal Government had facilitated military bases, and moved to other communities that have little or no security presence to continue their onslaught.
Currently, persons, including the monarch of Afin in the Ile Ere district, Oba Simeon Olanipekun, and his son Olaolu, a youth corps member abducted in December, are still being held, the same with nine persons abducted in Isapa and two persons kidnapped on the Isanlu-Isin highway early this year. Also, two persons kidnapped in Owa-Onire in December are still in the captivity of the bandits.
This much was attested to by the local government chairman of the Ifelodun local government area, Hon. Femi Yusuf, whose communities, like Babanla, Oke Ode, and Oro Ago, have been attacked by bandits in the recent past.
The council chairman, who lamented that almost every resident of the area had turned informant to bandits, said that the development had made a mockery of the efforts of the state government and those of the security agencies in tackling the menace.
Also speaking, the coordinator of the Joint Security Watch for the Kwara South senatorial district, Zubair Olaitan, said that efforts to arrest and neutralize bandits in Kwara South had been challenging due to several factors.
According to him, the bandits have also reportedly received support from locals, including food, shelter, and intelligence, making it harder for security forces to track them down.
Plateau State
Plateau State’s security issues have been made worse by the recent rise in kidnapping incidents. Not long until the new year. On Sunday, December 21, 2025, 28 people, mostly children, were abducted while travelling to a Maulud celebration. After three weeks in captivity, men from the Department of State Security managed to rescue them.
Bandits frequently kidnap people for ransom in the state’s local government areas of Wase, Kanam, Shendam, and Qua’Pan. This threat also affects Jos, the state capital; there have been numerous cases of persons being kidnapped in their homes and forced into hiding until ransoms were paid.
In recent times, the troops of the 3rd Division of the Nigerian Army and the Joint Task Force, Operation Enduring Peace, have foiled many kidnapping incidents. Also, the troops, about a week ago, rescued a retired army officer, Colonel Ajanaku (retd.), who had been abducted from his residence in Bassa Local Government Area, without the payment of ransom.
The people of the state have continued to express concerns over the increase in kidnapping cases in the state, and they want the government and security authorities to step up their efforts to arrest the situation before it spirals out of control.
Ibrahim Edward, a retired police officer and security expert, stated that the current spate of kidnapping incidents has steadily elevated insecurity in the zone to a perilous level. He claimed that moving from one place to another is currently frightening due to the possibility of getting abducted.
He stated that the situation worsened towards the close of last year, which coincided with US President Donald Trump’s intervention in Sokoto State and other parts of the Northwest. Edward stated that the activities forced them to run in various directions, particularly to the North Central, exacerbating the existing security issues on the ground.
Edward described how investigations revealed that the majority of the forest in the North Central, including National Parks and Game Reserves, had turned out to be their burrows, from where they hatch and plan attacks on innocent citizens.
“They participated in highway kidnappings for ransom to fund their nefarious activities. As a result, the government and security authorities must demonstrate dedication and resolve to flush out the unwanted individuals from their hiding places, particularly in these National Parks and Game Reserves”.
From all indications, the situation required immediate intervention; kidnapping for ransom has become a phenomenon that threatens the existence of people in the geopolitical zone. The frequent occurrence of this abnormal situation, especially the kidnapping of school children and travelers on the highways are alarming and upsetting.
Investigations by the Nigerian Tribune, however, revealed a common trend among the North Central states. It was gathered that the state governments most of the time attempted to suppress the reporting of the issues of kidnapping at the initial stage. A source said that following the declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State last year, many governors became jittery and warned their people not to over dramatise the issue of insecurity to avoid a declaration of a state of emergency. It was gathered that such a situation was responsible for the escalation of the situation in Kwara North and Kogi Central until the crisis spread to Kwara South and Kogi East, leading to outcries that were heard beyond the states.
SOURCE: TRIBUNE
