International Amnesty (AI) Nigeria has called on President Bola Tinubu to treat the rampant cases of kidnapping in Nigeria as an emergency and take steps to end the cycle of violence and fear suffered by the people.
AI stated this on Monday in a statement by its director in Nigeria, Isa Sanusi.
The organization said last week that more than 45 people traveling between Otukpo, Benue State, and Enugu were kidnapped and have yet to be heard from.
He also said that a student, Nabeelah, was killed in captivity last week because her family could not urgently meet the kidnappers’ demand for a N60 million ransom, even as her siblings are still in the captivity of the kidnappers.
He further stated that one of the 10 people kidnapped from a farm in Dutse, near Abuja, was killed because his family did not pay the ransom.
Sanusi said Nigerian authorities have yet to show any tangible commitment to addressing the growing security crisis across the country, adding that “whatever security measures are currently being implemented, they are clearly not working, as the “People in Nigeria feel more insecure.”
Read the full statement
INTERNATIONAL AMNESTY
Press release
January 15, 2024
Nigeria: Authorities must treat kidnapping epidemic as an emergency
President Bola Tinubu must treat the rampant kidnapping that has become part of daily life in Nigeria as an emergency and take all legal measures to end the cycle of violence and fear that the people of Nigeria experience today, says Amnesty International .
Last week, more than 45 people traveling between Otukpo, Benue State, and Enugu were kidnapped and are still unaccounted for. Also last week, Nabeelah, a student, was killed in captivity because her family could not urgently meet the kidnappers’ demand for a N60 million ransom. Her brothers are still in captivity of the kidnappers. One of the 10 people kidnapped from a farm in Dutse, near Abuja, was also killed because her family did not pay the ransom.
“We are now facing an epidemic of kidnappings. People in Nigeria now live on a knife edge. Widespread insecurity and the chaos it causes have been exacerbated by routine kidnappings, as armed groups tighten their grip on the country. The Nigerian authorities must immediately stop the wave of kidnappings,” said Isa Sanusi, director of Amnesty International Nigeria.
“Many families choose not to report cases of kidnapping after paying a ransom for fear of reprisals, and as a result, many incidents remain undocumented. The current kidnapping epidemic highlights the utter failure of the Nigerian authorities to effectively protect lives,” said Isa Sanusi.
The number of people detained by armed groups and kidnappers is unknown. But victims often suffer horrific abuse. Several women and girls, including schoolgirls, have been brutally raped while in captivity. Those kidnapped are routinely tortured. Many are beaten, deprived of food, threatened with death, raped, kept blindfolded for several days and verbally and physically attacked.
Nigerian authorities have yet to show any tangible commitment to addressing the growing security crisis across the country. Whatever security measures are currently being implemented, they are clearly not working as people in Nigeria feel more insecure.
“The safety of all people should be the government’s priority. Powerless people should not be left at the mercy of ruthless gunmen. If security issues are not urgently addressed, serious human rights abuses will be allowed,” said Isa Sanusi.
Under international human rights law and the Nigerian constitution, authorities have an obligation to protect the lives and property of all without discrimination. Nigerian authorities must investigate waves of kidnappings and murders and bring those suspected of responsibility to justice through fair trials.