Nigeria Gripped by Escalating Insecurity: Mass Abductions Surge as Military Battles Insurgents and Bandits

By Clarion Newschannel Staff
December 18, 2025
Nigeria continues to grapple with a deepening security crisis, marked by a wave of mass kidnappings, persistent insurgent attacks in the northeast, and rampant banditry across the northwest and north-central regions, underscoring ongoing threats to public safety and political stability.
In recent weeks, armed groups have carried out several high-profile abductions, primarily targeting schools and places of worship. Notable incidents include the kidnapping of over 300 students and staff from St. Mary’s Catholic boarding school in Papiri, Niger State, on November 21; the abduction of 25 female students from a secondary school in Kebbi State; and the seizure of 38 worshippers from a church in Kwara State on November 18, with security forces later rescuing them on November 23. Other attacks saw at least 64 people, mostly women and children, kidnapped in Zamfara State on November 15, and additional abductions in Kebbi and Niger States. Experts attribute these crimes largely to criminal gangs seeking ransom, noting that schools and rural communities remain vulnerable due to inadequate protection.
In the northeast, Boko Haram and its splinter group, the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), have intensified operations throughout 2025, conducting near-daily attacks on civilians and security forces in Borno and Yobe States. The groups have overrun multiple military outposts and carried out abductions, contributing to a humanitarian crisis affecting millions. A particularly grim incident involved the November 15 kidnapping and execution of Brigadier General Musa Uba, commander of a task force brigade.
Amid these challenges, President Bola Tinubu declared a nationwide security emergency in late November, directing the recruitment of an additional 20,000 police officers—bringing 2025 totals to 50,000—and approving the deployment of newly trained forest guards to counter armed groups in forested areas. The government has also pushed for legal amendments to enable state-level police forces and emphasized community intelligence sharing.
On the military front, Nigerian forces achieved notable successes in early December, including precision airstrikes and ground operations that neutralized scores of terrorists, rescued over 318 kidnapped victims between late November and early December, and disrupted bandit networks in multiple states. In a significant regional development, Nigerian fighter jets and ground troops intervened in neighboring Benin Republic on December 7-8 at the government’s request, swiftly thwarting an attempted coup by mutinous soldiers who had seized a TV station and military camp. President Tinubu commended the armed forces for upholding democratic values, while related diplomatic tensions arose from a Nigerian military aircraft’s emergency landing in Burkina Faso, leading to brief detentions before release.
These events occur against a backdrop of international scrutiny, including U.S. concerns over religious freedom and partial travel restrictions imposed on Nigerians due to vetting issues. Analysts highlight root causes such as poverty, governance gaps, and porous borders fueling extremism and crime.
As the year ends, authorities urge vigilance and community cooperation, while pledging sustained operations to restore security. Clarion Newschannel will provide ongoing coverage of these critical developments affecting national stability and civilian lives.