A minimum of 402 individuals, primarily schoolchildren, have been kidnapped in 4 states within the north-central area – Niger, Kebbi, Kwara and Borno – since 17 November, the UN human rights workplace, OHCHR, stated on Tuesday.
Solely 88 have reportedly been freed or escaped from captivity.
Name for justice
“We’re shocked on the latest surge in mass abductions in north-central Nigeria,” OHCHR Spokesperson Thameen Al-Kheetan stated in Geneva.
“We urge the Nigerian authorities – in any respect ranges – to take all lawful measures to make sure such vile assaults are halted and to carry these accountable to account.”
OHCHR stated the authorities should make sure the protected return of all these nonetheless being held and forestall additional abductions.
Rising starvation, safety menace
The rise in rebel assaults is threatening regional stability and inflicting a spike in starvation, the World Meals Programme (WFP) added.
The newest evaluation finds practically 35 million individuals are projected to face extreme meals insecurity through the 2026 lean season from June to August – the best quantity ever recorded within the nation.
Rebel assaults have intensified this 12 months, the UN company stated.
Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM), an al-Qaeda affiliate, reportedly carried out its first assault in Nigeria final month, whereas the rebel group Islamic State in West Africa Province (ISWAP) is reportedly looking for to increase throughout the Sahel area.
“Communities are underneath extreme strain from repeated assaults and financial stress,” stated David Stevenson, WFP Nation Director and Consultant in Nigeria.
“If we will’t hold households fed and meals insecurity at bay, rising desperation may gasoline elevated instability with rebel teams exploiting starvation to increase their affect, making a safety menace that extends throughout West Africa and past.”
Tens of millions in danger
WFP famous that northern Nigeria is experiencing probably the most extreme starvation disaster in a decade, and rural farming communities are the toughest hit.
Practically six million persons are projected to face disaster ranges of starvation or worse through the 2026 lean season in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states. This contains some 15,000 individuals in Borno state who’re anticipated to confront catastrophic starvation, or famine-like circumstances.
The scenario is unfolding as WFP continues to face funding shortfalls which have compelled the company to scale down vitamin programmes within the northeast in July, affecting greater than 300,000 kids.
WFP warned that sources for emergency meals and vitamin help will run out in December, which means tens of millions can be left with out important assist subsequent 12 months.
