North Central Kidnapping Crisis Hits Highways and Schools
The North Central geopolitical zone continues to grapple with a surge in kidnappings, banditry, and terrorism, affecting states including Kogi, Niger, Benue, Kwara, and Plateau.
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The escalating insecurity has left many dead and displaced thousands from their ancestral communities.
A growing dimension of the crisis is mass abduction for ransom.
In December 2025, several travellers were seized along the federal highway connecting Kabba to Obajana in Kogi State, marched into the forest, and tagged with individual ransom demands.
One family negotiated a ransom of N50 million down to N20 million, while incurring daily costs of over N100,000 to provide food, drinks, and water to their captive.
Passengers are often abducted in broad daylight, forced to trek vast distances, and sometimes die in captivity.
School children have been particularly vulnerable.
In Niger State, 315 students were kidnapped from Saint Mary Catholic School in Papiri in November 2025, spending over a month in captivity before being rescued.
Bandits have exploited forests and abandoned game reserves as operational bases.
Kainji Lake National Park and Borgu Game Reserve in Niger State, Pandam Game Reserve in Plateau State, and Wase Grazing Reserve are among known hideouts.
Fleeing militants from the Northwest have taken refuge in these areas, launching attacks on neighbouring communities.
Kogi State has witnessed repeated kidnappings across Kogi West, East, and Central. Attacks target highways, communities, and places of worship.
The state government, according to Commissioner for Information Kingsley Fanwo, has coordinated successful security operations involving the Army, Navy, DSS, Air Force, NSCDC, and Nigeria Police to dismantle bandit networks and destroy camps.
In Niger State, market attacks in Bogu Local Government killed at least 35 people, while kidnappings continue.
Benue State has seen renewed abductions in Gwer West, Otukpo, and Agatu, with both Christians and Muslims targeted.
In Kwara State, bandits hold more than 22 people for ransom, demanding over N400 million collectively, and abducted school children and travellers remain in captivity.
Plateau State faces similar threats, with mass abductions and highway attacks in Wase, Kanam, Shendam, and Qua’Pan. Security forces, including the Department of State Services and the Army, have conducted successful rescues, but kidnappings persist.
Retired military and police officers highlight the connection between recent Northwest military operations and the surge in North Central kidnappings.
They note that forests and national parks serve as safe havens for militants and criminals, who increasingly use ransom kidnapping to fund banditry and terror operations.
The prevalence of these kidnappings has disrupted farming, commerce, and travel, creating a climate of fear and uncertainty.
Investigations reveal that state governments often attempted to suppress early reports of insecurity, which contributed to the escalation of attacks, particularly in Kwara and Kogi.
Experts warn that immediate and coordinated federal and state interventions are required to flush out criminals from hideouts, secure highways, and protect communities.
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Kidnapping for ransom, particularly targeting school children and travellers, now poses a severe threat to the existence and well-being of residents in North Central Nigeria.
