Police reject Amnesty report of 1,100 kidnappings, calling figures unverified...

The Nigeria Police Force has rejected a report by Amnesty International claiming that at least 1,100 people were kidnapped across the country within a three-month period, describing the figure as unverified.

Reacting to the report, Force Public Relations Officer, Anthony Placid, questioned the credibility of the report, stating that it was not cross-checked with official security agencies.

“What is their source of information? They didn’t consult the police or cross-check with us,” he said.

“We have our records. And they didn’t check with us. If they didn’t consult us, then you should know better. Ask for the source of their report.”

Placid emphasised that credible crime statistics, particularly on sensitive issues like kidnapping, must be validated with official records to avoid misinformation and unnecessary public alarm.

Amnesty International had earlier raised concerns over what it described as a surge in abductions across Nigeria, especially in the northern region.

In a statement, the organisation said that between January and April 2026, at least 1,100 people were abducted, with most victims coming from rural communities and internally displaced persons’ camps.

The Country Director of Amnesty International Nigeria, Isa Sanusi, described the situation as severe and likely underreported, calling for urgent government intervention.

“President Bola Tinubu and his government must urgently address the country’s horrifying spate of abductions targeting rural communities and internally displaced persons (IDPs) in the northern part of the country, as at least 1,100 people have been abducted in three months from January to April 2026,” the statement read.

Amnesty also highlighted the conditions faced by victims in captivity, noting that many are subjected to extreme violence.

“Apart from killing people, gunmen are now on a rampage of abductions largely for lucrative ransom. Some stay months at the mercy of gunmen in punishing situations,” Sanusi said.

The organisation provided several incidents to support its claims, including reported mass abductions in Zamfara, Borno, Kaduna, Niger, and Kwara states, as well as attacks on villages, churches, and travellers.

Testimonies from victims further underscored the impact of the crisis.

A resident of Woro community in Kwara State recounted how his family was affected.

“They didn’t just kill; they stole our life away,” he said.

“They abducted 176 people, including my second wife and my three daughters. One of them is only two years old. I have seen the video they posted on social media.

“I heard my wife’s voice. I saw my people. It has been almost two months now, and they are still in that forest.”

Amnesty warned that the rising wave of abductions is pushing families into severe economic hardship, with many forced to sell possessions or rely on community support to pay ransoms.

The organisation also noted that insecurity is disrupting education, as parents withdraw children from school, while some underage girls are forced into early marriages as a form of protection.

In response, the police reiterated the need for collaboration between civil society organisations and security agencies to ensure accurate reporting of crime data.