Nigeria: Shock at surge in mass abductions
Press briefing notes
Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights
25 November 2025
From
Spokesperson for the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Thameen Al-Kheetan
Location
Geneva
We are shocked at the recent surge in mass abductions in north-central Nigeria. We urge the Nigerian authorities - at all levels - to take all lawful measures to ensure such vile attacks are halted and to hold those responsible to account.
At least 402 people, most of them schoolchildren, have been abducted in the states of Niger, Kebbi, Kwara and Borno since 17 November. Only 88 of them have reportedly been freed or have escaped from their captors.
We call on the Nigerian authorities to ensure the safe return of all those still in captivity to their families, and to prevent further abductions. They must also hold prompt, impartial, and effective investigations into abductions and bring those responsible to justice.
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