Nigerian Government Blames Jihadist Groups for Kidnappings Amidst Competing Theories

Fri Dec 05 2025 16:45:30 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Amid a surge in kidnappings across Nigeria, the government attributes the crisis to jihadist groups like Boko Haram and Iswap, while analysts suggest criminal gangs are at fault.

The Nigerian government has publicly stated that jihadist organizations, including Boko Haram and Iswap, are responsible for the escalating kidnappings plaguing north-western and central Nigeria, despite analysts' claims attributing the crisis to local criminal gangs known as 'bandits.' This marks the first time the government has officially named perpetrators without providing evidence. Recent mass kidnappings have intensified discussions over the complexities of the country's security challenges and the involvement of various armed factions.

The Nigerian government says jihadist groups Boko Haram and Islamic State in West Africa Province (Iswap) are behind the recent wave of abductions in north-western and central Nigeria, but this has been disputed by analysts who tell the BBC they were committed by criminal gangs locally known as 'bandits'.

This is the first time the government has stated who it believes is responsible for the kidnappings but it has not revealed any evidence to back its claims.

Kidnap for ransom has become big business in parts of Nigeria in recent years - with the culprits ranging from kidnap gangs, jihadists and separatists.

It is a lucrative money-spinner but officials consistently deny paying ransoms.

In the past fortnight alone, there have been three mass kidnappings in the region:

17 November - in Maga, Kebbi state, at Government Girls Comprehensive secondary school. Two people were killed and 25 abducted including one teacher - now all free

18 November - in Eruku, Kwara state, at Christ Apostolic Church. Two were killed and 38 abducted - all since freed

21 November - in Papiri, Niger state, at St Mary's Catholic School. More than 250 children and 12 members of staff reportedly kidnapped, although officials question these figures

Paying ransoms has been made illegal in Nigeria, although there are allegations this ban has been widely ignored.

Speaking to the BBC, presidential spokesman Sunday Dare would not say whether money had been paid to free the minority of abductees who were recently released, simply stating: 'Whatever processes are involved - kinetic, non-kinetic, negotiations, etc - have been successful.'

Asked who was behind the kidnappings, he replied: 'Abundant data - both nationally and internationally - reveals clearly that Iswap are all over the place. Also, whatever is left of Boko Haram, they are right there,' he continued. 'They are the ones involved in this process.'

Iswap is a splinter group of Islamist militant group Boko Haram, which has been waging an insurgency in north-eastern Nigeria for more than a decade.