TIMELINE: How 241 People Were Kidnapped Across Nigeria in February 

At least 241 Nigerians were kidnapped in various incidents across the country in February, according to HumAngle Tracker. The wave of abductions swept various regions of the country, targeting communities and highways.

HumAngle Tracker provides data-driven insights into key issues in Nigeria, including conflict and security trends, humanitarian crises, and governance and accountability. 

The figures, compiled from media reports, were more than what was recorded in January.

Timeline

Feb. 1: The Taraba State Police Command confirmed the abduction of eight people and the killing of one resident in the Jimlari community of the Lau Local Government Area.

Feb. 2: The Kwara Police Command confirmed the abduction of three family members by gunmen on the Oro-Agbamu Road in Irepodun Local Government Area of the state.

Feb. 5: At least 10 travellers were reportedly abducted by gunmen on the Owo-Ipele -Benin highway. The travellers were coming from a state in the South-South and heading towards Akure when the gunmen struck. 

In Katsina State, Brigadier General Maharazu Tsiga (rtd) was abducted in Tsiga village, Bakori Local Government Area alongside nine other residents. Also, a student was reportedly kidnapped by armed men at Ogwashi-Uku in Aniocha North Local Government Area of Delta State.

Similarly in Pandogari Community of Niger State, terrorists abducted six school girls.

Feb 6: Terrorists killed two people and kidnapped many in an attack in the Sabuwa Local Government Area of Katsina State. Another group of assailants also abducted 10 worshippers from a Mosque in the Bushe community, Sabon Birni Local Government Area (LGA) of Sokoto State. 

Feb. 8: Edo State Police Command rescued one Osazee Okungbowa from kidnappers’ den.

Feb 9: Terrorists killed one person and kidnapped nine others in an attack on Palaita, a village near a military base in Erena, a garrison town hosting hundreds of displaced persons in Shiroro LGA, Niger State. In a separate incident at Rarah community in Sokoto, terrorists killed one person, injured another, and abducted at least 15 residents.

Feb. 10: Terrorists attacked Dogon Ruwa community in Wase Local Government Area of Plateau State, abducting a man, his wife, and their child. In addition, terrorists killed the son of a minister in the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) and abducted his wife in Mararaba, Nasarawa State.

Feb. 11: Operatives of Ondo State Security Network code-named Amotekun Corps rescued five persons, who were among the 18 passengers kidnapped last week on the Akure-Benin Highway.

Feb. 12: Four people were abducted following an attack by terrorists in Katsina State. Also, armed men abducted a Catholic Priest of Port Harcourt Diocese, Reverend Father Livinus Maurice, alongside two others in Rivers State on the same day.

Feb. 13: Terrorists operating in Zamfara abducted about 20 locals, including a central mosque imam and a newlywed couple in the Maru area of the state. Similarly, armed men kidnapped a Catholic priest, Jude Onyeka along Building Material-Ugwunwasike Bypass in Ogidi, Idemili North Local Government Area in Anambra State.

Feb. 15: Troops of Operation Safe Haven (OPSH) neutralised two suspected kidnappers and rescued four abducted victims in Jema’a Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

Feb. 17: Umar Namashaya Diggi, former chairman of Kalgo LGA in Kebbi state, was declared missing after an attack by terrorists along the Birnin Kebbi-Diggi road. The National President of the Afenifere Youth Council, Eniola Ojajuni, was also abducted by armed men in Abuja.   

On the same day, terrorists abducted four people from their community in Jada Local Government Area of Adamawa State. 

Feb. 19: While terrorists killed one person, 12 people were abducted in Niger State communities. Also, gunmen abducted a 22-year-old woman, Fatima Bello, and her three-year-old daughter, Nana Unaisa, in Malikawa Sarari, Bichi Local Government Area (LGA) of Kano on the same day.

Feb. 20: Terrorists abducted the Secretary of Munya Local Government Area, Usman Daina, along with his wife and a relative, in a late-night attack on his residence in Sarkin Pawa, the headquarters of Munya LGA, Niger State.

Feb. 21: Gunmen stormed Elyon Paradise Ministry in Ogwashi-Uku, Delta State, during a vigil. They shot the pastor and abducted six church members in a brutal attack that left the community in shock.

Feb. 22: Gunmen kidnapped two clergymen, Reverend Father Mathew David Dusami, a priest with Yola Catholic Diocese, and Reverend Father Abraham Samman of Jalingo Diocese in Adamawa State.

Feb. 23: Terrorists attacked several villages in Shiroro and Munya Local Government Areas of Niger State, killing one person and kidnapping several others in the process. Similarly, terrorists abducted the Wakilin Fulani of Janjala, Alhaji Atah Adamu Wakili, a nursing mother and 37 other residents of the community located in Kagarko LGA of Kaduna State.

Feb. 24: Terrorists killed four people and reportedly kidnapped eight others in the Bukkuyyum Local Government Area of Zamfara State.

Feb. 25: Students of Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University Makurdi (JOSTUM), Benue State, expressed deep concerns over the abduction of three students by gunmen. Also, a member of the National Youth Service Corps serving in Ibadan, Oyo State, Rofiat Lawal, was kidnapped along the Benin-Ore Expressway.

Feb. 26: In another incident, nine farmers lost their lives and six others were kidnapped in an attack by armed terrorists on Karaga village, Bassa Ward, in Shiroro Local Government Area (LGA) of Niger State. Terrorists also killed eight people and kidnapped 20 others in Zamfara on the same day.

Feb. 27: Terrorists attacked a commercial vehicle along the Maiduguri-Banki road in Borno State. One person was injured, while the driver of the vehicle was abducted during the attack.