The Nigerian government alleges that jihadist groups Boko Haram and Islamic State in West Africa Province (Iswap) are behind the recent wave of abductions in north-western and central Nigeria, but this has been firmly disputed by analysts who assert that local criminal gangs, referred to as bandits are primarily responsible for the kidnappings.
This marks the first occasion the government has firmly pointed to specific groups, although it has not provided evidence underpinning its claims.
Kidnapping for ransom has morphed into a lucrative enterprise across several parts of Nigeria, with perpetrators spanning from kidnapping syndicates to extremist jihadists and separatists. The government maintains a consistent denial of having paid any ransom.
In the last two weeks alone, the area has seen three mass kidnappings:
- 17 November - in Maga, Kebbi state; two fatalities and 25 abductions, all subsequently freed
- 18 November - in Eruku, Kwara state; two killed and 38 kidnapped - all now free
- 21 November - in Papiri, Niger state; over 250 children and staff reported kidnapped, though officials are questioning the figures.
The ban on ransom payments has reportedly been disregarded in practice, raising questions about the state's modus operandi during negotiations for release.
Presidential spokesman Sunday Dare remarked that information indicates Iswap's pervasive presence in the region, claiming they are connected to the kidnappings. He referenced a belief that remnants of Boko Haram operate in conjunction with these actions.
Despite government assertions, analyst Bulama Bukarti challenged the narrative, stating, There is no Iswap or Boko Haram cell resident in the north-west. The mass kidnappings were executed by bandits.
The bandits are localized armed collectives with no unified organization, primarily operating in north-west Nigeria, while Boko Haram and Iswap mainly function hundreds of miles away in the north-east.
A recent assessment by ACLED, an international monitoring entity, identified Fulani militia groups (bandits) as responsible for a spate of recent abductions. They indicate that the most significant incident, involving over 200 schoolchildren kidnapped, seems politically motivated, likely intended to undermine governmental authority and expedite political objectives.
In a troubling twist, nearly 13 teenage girls were abducted in north-eastern Borno state, a territory dominated by Boko Haram, reaffirming a legitimate, separate threat posed by such jihadist groups in varying locales.
As Nigeria's security issues gain international visibility, the tensions are exacerbated by U.S. political discourse, emphasizing varying perspectives on victimization across religious lines and the complex interplay of tribal and socio-economic disputes in Nigeria.
