How can Nigeria stop its kidnap crisis?
Summary
Nigeria's severe kidnap crisis, marked by mass abductions of students and community leaders, has been declared a national security emergency. This episode delves into the historical roots of banditry, the economic and social factors fueling it, and the intricate dynamics between criminal gangs and jihadist groups. Experts discuss potential solutions, focusing on improved intelligence, infrastructure, economic reforms, and educational access as alternatives to military intervention.Episode description
In November gunmen seized more than 300 pupils and a dozen teachers from a Catholic school in northern Nigeria. While authorities have rescued around 100 children, many remain missing.
Kidnapping has become a recurring reality in many parts of the country, and in late 2025 President Bola Tinubu declared the crisis a national security emergency. He pledged to boost security in remote areas, but rights groups say the true scale of abductions is hidden by widespread underreporting.
The sheer number of kidnappings has also drawn international attention. The United States President has spoken of sending troops to assist, and France’s President Emmanuel Macron has offered broader help to tackle insecurity.
This week on The Inquiry, we’re asking: How can Nigeria stop its kidnap crisis?
Contributors
Dr Kachi Madreke, politics and international relations scholar, University of Aberdeen, UK
Dr Jumo Ayandele, clinical assistant professor at New York University’s Center for Global Affairs, US
James Barnett, non-resident research fellow at the Centre on Armed Groups
Dengiyefa Angalapu, research analyst at the Centre for Democracy and Development in Abuja, Nigeria
Presenter: Tanya Beckett Producer: Matt Toulson Researcher: Evie Yabsley Editor: Tom Bigwood Technical Producer: James Bradshaw Production Management Assistant: Liam Morrey
(Photo: Nigeria demonstration about student kidnapping. Credit: Kola Sulamon/Getty Images)