Families of kidnapped victims across several states in Nigeria are reportedly sinking deeper into despair as hundreds of abducted persons remain in captivity for weeks and months without clear communication from their abductors.
From Kwara, Borno, Niger, and Southern Kaduna, to other conflict-affected areas, it is estimated that over 1,000 people abducted in coordinated attacks during the first quarter of 2026 are still being held by suspected terrorists.
Unlike earlier cases where kidnappers quickly contacted families to demand ransom, many relatives now say there has been complete silence, with no phone calls, no negotiations, and no proof that the victims are alive.
Growing fear in Kwara communities
In Woro community in Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State, 176 residents abducted in February remain in captivity more than 50 days later. Families say they have received no communication from the abductors despite a viral video that showed some of the victims.
Relatives describe the situation as emotionally devastating, saying the uncertainty is worse than receiving a ransom demand because it leaves them unsure whether their loved ones are alive.
Community members also raised concerns about vulnerable victims, including pregnant women and children, who may not survive long periods in harsh forest conditions without food or medical care.
Borno abductions still unresolved
In Borno State, more than 300 people abducted during a March attack in Gwoza Local Government Area remain unaccounted for, although a few women have reportedly returned in small numbers.
Residents say even returnees came back without phones or clear explanations, while many others are still missing, leaving families in total uncertainty.
Niger State: long-term captivity
In Niger State, insecurity has stretched into long-term abductions, with some victims reportedly held for over a year. Attacks across Shiroro, Munya, and Mariga LGAs have led to the kidnapping of dozens of residents, including women and children.
Families of abducted government workers, including a SUBEB chairman kidnapped alongside other passengers in 2025, say they have been left without government support and still do not know if their relatives are alive.
Some ransom payments were reportedly made, but victims were still not released as abductors demanded full payment.
Southern Kaduna: rising silent kidnappings
In parts of Southern Kaduna within Kaduna State, residents report a shift in kidnapping patterns, where abductors no longer make early contact to demand ransom.
Several families say their loved ones were taken during coordinated attacks, but no communication has followed, leaving them completely in the dark.
Some families who managed partial ransom payments say kidnappers still refuse to release victims until full payments are made.
Zamfara records mass abductions
In Zamfara State, hundreds of residents have also been kidnapped in multiple attacks, with nearly 600 people reportedly abducted within the first months of 2026.
In many cases, families say ransom negotiations either stalled or communication stopped entirely after initial contact, worsening fears about the fate of victims.
Emotional and humanitarian impact
Across affected regions, families say the psychological toll is severe, with many children dropping out of school and women becoming sole providers in collapsed households.
Community leaders warn that the trauma extends beyond captivity, as many rescued victims reportedly suffer lasting emotional and psychological damage.
Security concerns
Security analysts say the growing trend of “silent kidnappings,” where abductors avoid communication, complicates rescue efforts and reduces negotiation opportunities.
Authorities in several states say operations are ongoing, but families continue to express frustration over the lack of updates and limited progress.
Reports from captivity
In one widely circulated video, abductors holding victims in Kwara reportedly claimed they had “converted” the captives and instructed them in religious practices, while some victims appeared to appeal for urgent help.
