Nigeria's kidnapping crisis: Armed groups build criminal economy on mass abductions | TheBriefWire
Nigeria's kidnapping crisis: Armed groups build criminal economy on mass abductions
Published 18 June 2026 · general
Nigeria's kidnapping crisis has become a criminal economy, with armed groups including Boko Haram and bandits abducting farmers, students and travellers across the country's north
Nigeria's kidnapping crisis has become a criminal economy, with armed groups including Boko Haram and bandits abducting farmers, students and travellers across the country's north.
Ransom payments fund the expansion of these networks, while the recent death of a kidnapped retired army general has highlighted the scale of the threat.
Hundreds of villagers have been rescued in Borno state, but hundreds more remain in captivity. Critics warn that military operations alone cannot dismantle the supply chains sustaining these groups.
Al Jazeera's Ahmed Idris reports from Maiduguri, Nigeria. Find us on Check our website Check out our Instagram page Download AJE Mobile App
Published: June 18, 2026 • 7:09 PM IST · Updated: June 18, 2026 • 7:44 PM ISTBy TheBriefWire Editorial Team
Key points· Video
Nigeria's kidnapping crisis has become a criminal economy, with armed groups including Boko Haram and bandits abducting farmers, students and travellers across the country's north.
Ransom payments fund the expansion of these networks, while the recent death of a kidnapped retired army general has highlighted the scale of the threat.
Hundreds of villagers have been rescued in Borno state, but hundreds more remain in captivity.
Critics warn that military operations alone cannot dismantle the supply chains sustaining these groups.
Al Jazeera's Ahmed Idris reports from Maiduguri, Nigeria.
The BriefWire