Confusion in Nigeria: Are Jihadists Behind the Kidnappings?

Sun Nov 30 2025 01:53:12 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

The Nigerian government attributes the latest wave of kidnappings to jihadist groups Boko Haram and Islamic State in West Africa Province, while analysts argue that local criminal gangs are primarily responsible.

In Nigeria, a surge in kidnappings has sparked a debate over the true masterminds behind the incidents. While government officials link the abductions to jihadist factions Boko Haram and ISWAP, experts counter that local armed groups known as 'bandits' are the culprits. Amid complex violence patterns and mass abductions, including the recent kidnapping of over 250 students, the discourse reveals stark discrepancies in perspectives on national security.

Confusion in Nigeria: Are Jihadists Behind the Kidnappings?

The Nigerian government says jihadist groups Boko Haram and Islamic State in West Africa Province (Iswap) are behind a recent wave of abductions across north-western and central Nigeria. However, analysts dispute this claim, attributing the kidnappings to local criminal gangs known as bandits.

This is the first time the government has publicly identified the alleged perpetrators but has not provided any evidence to support its assertions. Kidnapping for ransom has become a profitable business in Nigeria, with a variety of actors involved, including kidnap gangs, jihadists, and separatist groups.

Just in the past two weeks, Nigeria has witnessed three mass kidnappings:

17 November - 25 abducted from Government Girls Comprehensive School in Kebbi state.
18 November - 38 abducted after an attack on Christ Apostolic Church in Kwara state.
21 November - more than 250 children and 12 staff kidnapped from St Mary's Catholic School in Niger state.

Officials deny paying ransoms, but the ban on ransom payments has reportedly been widely ignored. Presidential spokesman Sunday Dare remarked that the government is committed to rescuing the remaining abductees but did not specify the timeline.

Some analysts believe that the majority of recent kidnappings are conducted by local bands rather than national jihadist groups, emphasizing the distinct operational territories of each group. Acled attributed the kidnappings to Fulani militia groups, indicating a pattern of violence driven by socio-political factors.

The issue has gained international attention, particularly after U.S. President Donald Trump suggested military intervention in response to threats against Christian communities in Nigeria. However, Nigerian officials clarified that violence affects all faiths and not just one group.

The situation remains dire in Nigeria as families suffer from the long-lasting impacts of this violence, which underscores the complexities of the nation’s security landscape.