The Northern Senators Forum (NSF) has expressed concern over the recent spate of Kidnappings in the region in the Month of March 2024
Since the end of February, over 500 people have been kidnapped in a series of mass abductions in Nigeria’s North East and North West regions.
On 29 February, suspected Boko Haram members kidnapped at least 200 persons, primarily women and children, in the North Eastern state of Borno.
In the North West, at least three incidents of mass abductions not linked to Boko Haram have occurred in quick succession since 7 March, when gunmen raided a school and also abducted 287 pupils in the Chikun area of Kaduna.
Two days after, on 9 March, gunmen abducted 15 from an Islamic school in Sokoto. With authorities and communities still grappling with the aftermath of these incidents, on 12 March armed bandits reportedly struck Kaduna again – this time in Kajuru – taking with them 61 persons
A statement by the Chairman, Northern Senators Forum, Senator Abdulaziz Yar’adua said, the distressing state of affairs concerning the recent wave of violence and kidnappings in the North is a major concern to the Forum
“The series of events that have unfolded in Kaduna State, beginning with the kidnapping of 286 students and staff from a school on March 7th, the despicable attack on worshippers in a mosque on March 8th, the abduction of 61 more persons on March 12th, followed by 14 individuals on March 17th, and a staggering total of 87 individuals in Kujuru on March 18th, amongst others, are not only reprehensible but demand urgent and resolute action.
“We are committed to pursuing a lasting solution to this menace. We will not rest until the security situation is significantly improved and the perpetrators of these heinous acts are brought to justice.
“It is our core duty and mandate, and we will spare no effort in fulfilling it for the greater good of our people and our nation.