Nigeria’s Kidnapping Crisis: Villagers Live in Fear Near Bandits

Across central and northern Nigeria, families of abducted students live under a cloud of fear and silence. They know their children are in danger, but speaking to police or journalists can invite retaliation from the gunmen.

Papiri abduction in Niger State

In the early hours of November 21, gunmen attacked St Mary’s Catholic School in Papiri village, Niger State, pulling hundreds of pupils from the dormitories. One parent, who asked to be unnamed and is referred to as Aliyu, told INLIBER he fears speaking out because attackers could target his family. His child remains among the missing.

Authorities say about 250 students are still unaccounted for, though locals argue the toll could be higher. The assailants reportedly fled into forest camps several hours away, a distance that makes coordinated responses risky for families and security forces alike.

Our village is remote, Aliyu explained. It’s a three‑hour drive to where they hide, and we know their location, yet going there ourselves would be too dangerous.

The families’ worry is compounded by past abductions, where captives were kept in forest hideouts and died from illness or stalled ransom payments. The situation leaves many families bitter and exhausted, with little immediate relief in sight.

Other mass kidnappings and responses

Two days after Papiri, twelve girls were seized from Mussa District in the far northeast, Borno State, with authorities later saying they were rescued in what security officials called an intelligence-led operation. A few days earlier, twenty-five girls were abducted from a school in Maga, Kebbi State; one student managed to escape before security forces recovered the rest. Nigeria prohibits paying ransoms by law, but in practice families often explore funding or negotiations through authorities.

Groups behind these attacks are typically described as bandits living in remote cattle camps. They are often linked to the Fulani communities known for nomadic herding in the region. Details on ransom payments are not publicly disclosed by officials.

Residents say such abductions require inside help; insiders in Kebbi and nearby states are believed to assist attackers by sharing terrain knowledge and access routes. A guardian named Yusuf, who asked to remain anonymous, suggested that the violence could not occur without local involvement.

Peace deals and shifting security in the northwest

In areas long battered by banditry, some communities have pursued informal peace arrangements with bandit groups. In exchange for access to mining sites, talks have produced calmer villages in places like Jibia and Kurfi in Katsina State, although critics note that armed gatherings still accompany such negotiations.

Peace talks in Jibia began earlier this year, and residents say schools reopened as part of the accord. Bandit leaders asked for water access for cattle and safer passage through grazing routes, while communities sought protection from attacks and the ability to conduct daily life without fear.

By late September, authorities reported that 37 villagers had been freed in Kurfi as part of the broader peace process. Community leaders describe the shift as a necessary, if imperfect, step toward normal life after years of violence.

Experts note that the motive behind these deals is not only political but practical: some bands face dwindling ransom opportunities and seek stable access to resources and markets, prompting a pragmatic turn to negotiation.

Analysts warn that peace deals may displace violence to other areas rather than end it completely. In Katsina and beyond, some gangs are likely to look further south where economic conditions are stronger and families can mobilize more money for ransom.

Expert perspectives

Expert comment: Security analyst David Nwaigwe of SBM Intelligence says peace negotiations can lower attack rates in some districts but violence may simply shift elsewhere, so sustained action is essential. He adds that economic drivers—especially mining wealth—often push bandits to seek settlements rather than total defeat.

What this means for families

For families in Papiri, the priority remains the safe return of their children and lasting improvements in local policing. Local communities urge transparent communication from authorities and continued security efforts to protect schools and farms.

Conclusion

Nigeria’s kidnapping challenge demands a dual approach: robust security action paired with targeted negotiations to reduce violence and restore daily life in rural areas. While some communities report progress from peace deals, the threat persists, and ongoing vigilance is essential to keep schools safe and children out of harm’s way.

Additional reporting by INLIBER’s Chris Ewokor in Abuja.

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Key takeaway: A balanced strategy that combines strong security measures with targeted negotiations is essential to reduce mass kidnappings and protect vulnerable communities in rural Nigeria.

Source: BBC News