Over 600 Nigerians Remain in Kidnappers’ Dens Nationwide — Investigation

Despite repeated assurances by the Federal Government and military authorities, over 600 Nigerians, mostly women and children, remain in kidnappers’ camps across Borno, Sokoto, Kaduna and Kwara States, according to an investigation by Sunday Telegraph.
The figures highlight a growing humanitarian crisis, with victims held for between two and six months in forest camps. Many are reportedly severely ill, emaciated and unable to regain their freedom because of exorbitant ransom demands.

Borno: 78 Pupils Held for 163 Days
In Borno State, 78 schoolchildren abducted from Mussa and Lassa communities on May 15, 2026, remain in captivity 163 days after their abduction. The children were kidnapped on the same day teachers and students were abducted in Oyo State.
While the victims in Oyo State have been rescued, parents in Borno say their children have been abandoned
The Chairman of the Association of Abducted Children’s Parents, Ishaku Suya, said no top security official had visited the affected communities since the abduction, expressing disappointment over the situation.

“We were surprised by the level of seriousness accorded to Oyo children, thinking that the same would be extended to our children. Unfortunately, we were left alone to grieve,” he lamented.
The parents had threatened to occupy the streets outside the Presidential Villa in Abuja until President Bola Tinubu addressed their concerns. However, they shelved the plan because of poverty and a lack of transport fare.

The Chief of Army Staff, Lt-Gen Waidi Shuaibu, arrived in Maiduguri last Saturday and held a closed-door meeting with Operation Hadin Kai officers at Maimalari Cantonment. He charged troops to ensure hitch-free elections in 2027.
The parents are now urging him to personally visit Mussa and Lassa communities.

Governor Babagana Zulum had earlier met President Tinubu in Abuja, following which the President directed security chiefs to launch rescue operations nationwide. The Minister of Defence, Christopher Musa, also declared an order to leave no terrorist camp standing.
Sokoto: Over 500 Victims Held by Criminals
Sokoto State has recorded the highest reported number of victims still in captivity, with more than 1,100 people kidnapped within the 12 months leading to June 2026.

Public analyst Altine Bashari Guyawa said no fewer than 500 residents were being held captive across 13 local government areas, while the Vice Chairman of the Sokoto Advancement Forum (SAF), Prof. Riskuwa Arabu Shehu, described banditry as the state’s most serious security challenge.

A breakdown of the victims still in captivity shows that 260 are being held in Goronyo, Sabon Birni and Isa Local Government Areas; 36 in Kware and Wurno; 56 in Rabah, Tureta and Dange/Shuni; and 136 in Illela, Tangaza, Gudu, Binji and Silame. An unspecified number of victims are also being held in Kebbe Local Government Area.

Several victims have reportedly spent months in forest camps.
Incidents recorded between June and July 2026 alone account for at least 68 people still in captivity.

They include 23 victims from Gajit Village in Sabon Birni; 12 from Gandi District in Rabah; 12 from Illela Dawagware in Goronyo; 16 people, including 15 Almajiri children, from Gidan Bakuso in Gada; and nine people, including widows and children aged between 10 and 15, from Illelar Dawagari in Goronyo.

The victims are reportedly being held at Charima Kachalla Camp and Charande Camp near Bakolori Dam, Sububu Forest in Maradun Local Government Area of Zamfara State, and hideouts controlled by bandit commanders Ali Dan Oga, Kachalla Chomo and Kachalla Hamisu.

Families say their relatives remain in captivity because they cannot afford the huge ransom demands, with bandits allegedly increasing the amounts even after part-payments have been made.
One family in Chacho, Wurno Local Government Area, reportedly paid N10 million and three motorcycles to secure the release of a bride-to-be after 49 days in captivity.

The Sokoto State Government said 153 victims had been rescued since 2024 through Operation Fansan Yamma.
Kaduna: Three-Year-Old Spends 168 Days in the Bush

In Kaduna State, six victims, including three-year-old Silvia Samuel, remain in captivity 168 days after they were abducted from Awon Village in Kachia Local Government Area.

Reuben Buhari, a former media aide to the late Governor Patrick Yakowa, who disclosed the case, said Silvia and her pregnant mother were among 11 people abducted on April 20 while walking through the village.

“One escaped, four died in captivity. Tragedy struck as Silvia’s mother gave birth in captivity. The baby died, and mother died in September, leaving 3-year-old alone in kidnappers’ den,” he said.

Among the remaining captives are 14-year-old Faith, whose younger brother, Devine, died in the camp from hunger, and another 14-year-old, Racheal.
Buhari said the captives were in terrible condition, suffering from sores caused by insect bites, ringworm, bleeding gums and decaying teeth. They were also severely emaciated because of hunger and exposure, as their families could not afford the ransom demands.
Kwara: 16 Still Held, N100 Million Ransom Demanded

In Kwara State, 13 residents of Woru and Nuku communities in Kaiama Local Government Area, who were abducted on February 3, 2026, remain missing months after 163 of the 176 victims were rescued in August.

Fresh tension has also gripped Budo-Oyinbo in Ifelodun Local Government Area after kidnappers demanded N100 million for the release of three abductees.

The kidnappers allegedly abducted Mr.
Tajudeen Salaudeen after mistaking him for their intended target, Mr. Tunde Aileru, a former APC Youth Leader in Share Ward 5. Aileru’s wife, Bashirat, and niece, Ikmat, are also being held.
The Community Chairman, Elder Deacon Sunday Samba, alleged that the attacks around Share were an attempt to reduce the voting strength of the ward, which is known for supporting Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq since the Otoge movement.

The Police Public Relations Officer, SP Toun Ejire-Adeyemi, did not respond to inquiries.

Zamfara: Governor’s Policy Under Fire
In Zamfara State, analyst Abdulrasheed Buhari Yandi criticised Governor Dauda Lawal’s no-negotiation stance, arguing that refusing to negotiate without providing an alternative protection plan has left an unspecified number of victims in captivity and allowed bandits to control communities and impose levies.

“Refusing to negotiate is only half of strategy. The other half is decisive action to neutralize bandits. You have refused to talk to bandits, and you have equally failed to stop them,” he said.

Across the affected states, families have appealed to the Federal Government and security agencies to intensify rescue operations before more victims die in captivity.
Source: Sunday Telegraph, excluding headline.