The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria, HURIWA, has called for urgent action against kidnapping in Nigeria after a report said 7,825 people were abducted and N7.8bn paid in ransom within one year.
HURIWA made the call in a statement signed by its National Coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Nnadozie Onwubiko, on Friday.
The group was reacting to an SBM Intelligence report titled The Capture of the Kidnap Economy.
The report recorded 1,713 kidnapping and related incidents between July 2025 and June 2026.
According to the report, 7,825 people were abducted and 1,142 others were killed during the period.
HURIWA described the figures as alarming and urged the Federal and state governments to take stronger action.
The group called on President Bola Tinubu and the National Assembly to strengthen laws and security measures against kidnapping and terrorism.
HURIWA also called for the use of drones, satellite surveillance and digital forensics to track kidnappers and identify their hideouts.
It urged security agencies to focus on preventing attacks rather than responding only after victims had been abducted.
The group said intelligence agencies should identify kidnappers, their financiers, communication networks and logistics channels.
HURIWA called for stronger financial intelligence operations to track ransom payments.
It said relevant agencies should investigate ransom flows and, where legally possible, freeze illicit funds.
The group said financial evidence should be used to prosecute kidnappers and their facilitators.
HURIWA argued that ransom payments could help criminal groups buy weapons, recruit members and expand their operations.
The organisation urged the National Security Adviser to improve intelligence sharing among security agencies.
It specifically mentioned the military, police, Department of State Services and financial intelligence agencies.
HURIWA also called for better recruitment, training and equipment for forest guards.
It said forest guards should work with conventional security agencies to deny criminals access to forests and other hideouts.
Protect Schools and Highways
HURIWA called for stronger security around schools, rural communities and vulnerable highways.
It recommended rapid-response units, better community intelligence and increased surveillance of kidnapping hotspots.
The organisation also raised concerns about the reintegration of persons described as repentant terrorists.
HURIWA said rehabilitation programmes must include proper judicial, security and intelligence assessments.
The group said the reported scale of kidnapping in Nigeria and ransom payments should be treated as a national emergency.
It urged governments and security agencies to prevent attacks, dismantle criminal networks, disrupt their finances and rescue victims.
HURIWA also called for suspects who are convicted to face punishment in accordance with the law.