"Nigeria's armed banditry is a security crisis Nigeria has long been plagued by mass kidnappings, but the past weeks have seen a surge in attacks and abductions by armed bandits. Most recently, gunmen attacked a church in Kogi state in central Nigeria, abducting the pastor along with nearly a dozen worshipers during a Sunday morning service. On Saturday, some 30 women, including a bride and visiting wedding guests, were kidnapped in Sakoko in northwestern Nigeria."
"In all, some 490 people have been abducted across multiple states in the past two weeks, according to Nigeria's Punch newspaper. A large number of these were from the St. Mary's private Catholic boarding school in Papiri, Niger State, where 315 people, mostly children, were abducted in late November. Around 50 children managed to escape. Armed bandits, often operating in Nigeria's northwest and north-central regions, frequently carry out kidnappings for ransom."
Mohammed Badaru Abubakar resigned as Nigeria's defense minister with immediate effect, cited on health grounds. President Bola Tinubu declared a national security emergency amid a surge in kidnappings. Hundreds were abducted across multiple states in recent weeks, including about 490 people overall and 315 pupils from St. Mary's private Catholic boarding school in Papiri, Niger State. Attacks included a church abduction in Kogi and the kidnapping of around 30 women in Sakoko. Armed bandits in the northwest and north-central regions frequently abduct for ransom. Nigeria also faces a deadly Islamist insurgency and criticism for failing to protect schools. Tinubu ordered mass police and military recruitment despite stretched, underpaid, and under-equipped security forces.
Read at www.dw.com
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