Geneva – The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights has called on Nigerian authorities to take all legal measures to stop the growing wave of mass kidnappings in the country.
UNHCR spokesperson Thamin al-Khitan said that some 402 people, mostly students, have been abducted since November 17 in the states of Niger, Kebbi, Kwara, and Borno. He explained that only 88 have been released or managed to escape.
The commission called on Nigeria to ensure the safe return of the abductees, prevent a recurrence of such attacks, and launch “swift and impartial” investigations to hold the perpetrators accountable.
Nigeria has been facing a jihadist conflict for years that has killed more than 40,000 people. It has also displaced two million people, in addition to the spread of gangs that commit kidnappings and violence in the northwest.
The latest wave of kidnappings came after US President Donald Trump threatened military action against Nigeria, accusing extremist groups of killing Christians there.
