Kidnapping

Dozens kidnapped in northwest Nigeria after bandits invite them to talks

According to police statements, the victims were meeting relatives of a bandit leader in an attempt to broker peace and ease restrictions on movement imposed on the community.

An empty street in the Esinle community, where pupils and teachers were abducted in a large-scale school attack, in Oyo State, Nigeria, June 2, 2026.
A woman rescued from Boko Haram in Sambisa forest celebrates her freedom from Boko Haram at Malkohi camp for Internally Displaced People in Yola, Adamawa State, Nigeria

Nigerian forces rescue hundreds of abductees held by Boko Haram

Gunmen stand guard at the funeral of Marwan Issa, a senior Hamas deputy military commander who was killed in an Israeli airstrike during the conflict between Israel and Hamas, amid a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, in the central Gaza Strip, February 7, 2025.

Hamas leadership calls for kidnapping of IDF soldiers following death penalty law passing - report

US JOURNALIST Shelly Kittleson is pictured in Baghdad on March 31, shortly before she was abducted. Her disappearance has focused attention on the threat posed by Iran-backed militias and the deteriorating security environment in postwar Iraq.

Iraq’s militia state: Shelly Kittleson’s kidnapping exposes who runs Baghdad


Nearly two year after disappearance: Police arrest suspect linked to missing girl Haymanut Kasau

Footage obtained by Walla shows a man arriving at the home of a young girl in Beersheba, later reportedly identified as a close friend of the missing Kasau.

Nine-year-old Haymanot Kasau.

Shin Bet Chief Zini: In wake of war, Israelis, Jews face heightened danger of kidnapping

As Zini saw it, the price of future danger from releasing security prisoners and allowing Hamas to continue armed outweighed the price of losing the remaining hostages.

Designated head of the Israel Security Agency (Shin Bet) director David Zini seen with Ultra orthodox jewish soldiers from the Hasmonean Brigade after completing their beret march, at the Western Wall in Jerusalem's Old city on August 6, 2025.

'I am not afraid': Ben-Gvir unmoved after footage shows Hamas planning his abduction before Oct. 7

Ben-Gvir also renewed his efforts to dismantle the grave of the terrorist Izz ad-Din al-Qassam, founder of the Black Hand and known as "the Arab Joseph Trumpeldor."

Israeli minister of National Security Itamar Ben Gvir seen at the entrance to the Temple Mount, before entering, in Jerusalem's Old City. October 08, 2025.

Nigerian government secures release of 100 kidnapped schoolchildren, Channels TV says

The Christian Association of Nigeria has said 303 children and 12 school staff were kidnapped on November 21 by gunmen at St. Mary's Catholic boarding school.

A view of metal beds in a hostel room after gunmen attacked a government girls' boarding school in Nigeria's Kebbi State on November 17, killing the vice principal and abducting 25 female students, according to police, Kebbi, Nigeria, in this screengrab taken from a handout video released on Novembe

Abductors kill priest in Nigeria after a month in captivity, church leader says

Archbishop Henry Ndakuba said Venerable Edwin Achi, seized with his wife and daughter from their home in Kaduna state on October 28, was murdered after spending about a month in captivity.

An interior view of the Christ Apostolic Church, the day after an attack by gunmen in which people were killed and the pastor and some worshippers kidnapped, in the town of Eruku, Kwara state, Nigeria, November 19, 2025.

Kidnapped Nigerian schoolgirls have been released, official says

Mass kidnappings for ransom have become common in northern Nigeria, where armed gangs target schools and rural communities, often overwhelming local security forces.

A  gunmen attacked a government girls' boarding school in Nigeria's Kebbi State on November 17, killing the vice principal and abducting 25 female students, according to police, Kebbi, Nigeria, in this screengrab taken from a handout video released on November 18, 2025.

What's behind Nigeria's latest school abductions, church attack? - explainer

Here’s what to know about the recent wave of kidnappings and deadly attacks in Nigeria, who is behind them, and how the government is responding to the worsening security crisis.

An interior view of the Christ Apostolic Church, the day after an attack by gunmen in which people were killed and the pastor and some worshippers kidnapped, in the town of Eruku, Kwara state, Nigeria, November 19, 2025.

‘We're ghosts of people’: Families of aid workers abducted by Houthis speak out

Families allowed limited contact with their abducted loved ones said they seemed gaunt, exhausted and much thinner than when they were taken.

Houthi terrorists lead detained people on the day of their release in Sanaa, Yemen, January 25, 2025; illustrative.

Gunmen in Nigeria kidnap over 200 Catholic school students, Christian association says

At least 227 students and teachers were kidnapped from St. Mary's Catholic School in Nigeria, according to the Christian Association of Nigeria.

Nigerian Army soldiers patrol near the scene after a deadly gunmen attack in Yelwata, Benue State, Nigeria, June 16, 2025.

Gunmen kidnap 52 students from Catholic school in Nigeria, local TV reports

"The Niger State Government has received with deep sadness the disturbing news of the kidnapping of pupils from St. Mary's School," said the Niger State government.

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