Amnesty to Tinubu: Treat kidnapping epidemic in Nigeria as emergency

Amnesty International, an international non-governmental organisation (INGO) focused on human rights, has asked President Bola Tinubu to treat the recent unchecked kidnapping incidents across the country as an emergency.

In recent weeks, cases of kidnappings have spiked.

On January 5, six sisters were kidnapped alongside their father from their residence at Zuma 1 in the Bwari area council of the federal capital territory (FCT).

The abductors released the father but held the girls hostage.

On Sunday, Nabeeha, one of the girls, was reported to have died in captivity.

TheCable reported that three others, who were kidnapped in other parts of the community, were also killed in captivity including one Folorunsho Ariyo, a 13-year-old secondary school student.

“Last week over 45 people travelling between Otukpo in Benue state and Enugu were kidnapped and nothing has been heard about them yet,” the statement reads.

“Also one of the 10 people kidnapped at an estate in Dutse near Abuja was killed over failure of her family to pay ransom.”

The statement described the abductions as an epidemic that has become part of daily life and urged the president to take all lawful measures to end the cycle of violence and fear.

“We are now facing an epidemic of kidnapping. People in Nigeria are now living on the knife edge,” the statement added.

“Widespread insecurity and the chaos it causes have been exacerbated by routine kidnapping, as armed groups tighten their stranglehold on the country. Nigerian authorities must immediately stem the tide of kidnapping now.

“Many families choose not to report cases of kidnapping after paying ransom for fear of reprisals and as a result many incidents go undocumented.

“The current epidemic of kidnapping highlights the utter failure of the Nigerian authorities to effectively protect lives.”

The INGO frowned on what it called a lack of tangible commitment by authorities to address the escalating breakdown of law and order across the country.

“Security of all people should be the priority of the government. People should not be left helplessly at the mercy of ruthless gunmen. Failure to address the security concerns urgently will grossly enable human rights abuses,” the statement added.

Amnesty International asked authorities to abide by the constitution which mandates the protection of lives and properties, and urged authorities to investigate the waves of kidnapping and killings, and bring those culpable to justice.