**Title: Over 80 Abductions Reported in Nigeria Amid Rising Kidnapping Crisis**
**Date: September 29, 2026**
More than 80 individuals have been reported missing in Nigeria following a series of abductions attributed to armed gangs, raising concerns over the escalating kidnapping crisis in the country. This alarming development comes as authorities in the southeastern state of Abia announced the discovery of human remains believed to belong to victims of these kidnappings.
According to reports from the AFP news agency, at least 87 people, primarily women, were abducted during two separate incidents over the weekend. The first incident occurred in Niger State, where 47 farmers were taken while they were harvesting peanuts. The second incident involved the kidnapping of 40 women in the neighboring state of Zamfara.
These kidnappings are part of a broader trend of violence perpetrated by criminal gangs, commonly referred to as "bandits," who specialize in ransom kidnappings and cattle rustling. These groups frequently launch brutal attacks on villages, resulting in fatalities, destruction of property, and widespread fear among local populations.
In a separate but related incident, police in Abia reported the discovery of 28 human skulls and bones, which they suspect belong to victims of kidnapping. This grim find was made during a raid on camps linked to criminal organizations operating in the region's forests. The police indicated that the suspects associated with these camps fled the scene, and efforts are ongoing to apprehend them.
The rise in mass abductions for ransom has become a distressing norm in parts of northwestern and north-central Nigeria. Armed groups are known to hold their captives until substantial ransoms are paid. Recent research from SBM Intelligence, a consultancy based in Lagos, revealed that these criminal organizations collected approximately 7.8 billion naira (nearly $6 million) in ransom payments between July 2025 and June 2026. This figure represents a significant increase compared to the 2.6 billion naira collected during the same timeframe the previous year.
The timing of these kidnappings is particularly concerning, as Nigeria approaches presidential elections scheduled for January 2027. Security issues, alongside rising living costs, are expected to be pivotal topics in the upcoming election cycle. President Bola Tinubu has faced mounting criticism regarding the government's handling of security, with many citizens expressing dissatisfaction over the perceived lack of effective measures to combat the rampant kidnappings.
In response to the recent surge in abductions, residents of Niger State held protests last Monday, demanding action from the government. They voiced their frustration over the prolonged captivity of hundreds of individuals who were taken during a mass kidnapping incident a month prior, which has been described as one of the largest in the country’s history.
The situation in Nigeria continues to evolve, with the government under pressure to implement effective strategies to combat the growing threat of kidnappings and ensure the safety of its citizens. As the nation grapples with these challenges, the plight of the abducted individuals and their families remains a pressing concern for communities across the country.