Abuja: A coalition of women’s rights and civil society organisations, known as Womanifesto Nigeria, has condemned the abduction of girl children and women in Nigeria, demanding the immediate rescue of victims still in captivity. Dr Abiola Akiyode-Afolabi, the Chairperson of Womanifesto Nigeria, made this statement on Wednesday, highlighting the urgent need for action.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Akiyode-Afolabi described the repeated attacks on schools, communities, and travellers as a national security crisis disproportionately affecting women, girls, and children across the country. She emphasized that Nigerian children should be in schools, safe homes, and secure communities, not in forests or bandits’ camps. “No child deserves to grow up surrounded by fear, violence, and captivity when they should be learning, dreaming, and living safely with their families,” she stated.
Akiyode-Afolabi expressed concern over the worsening insecurity in the country, which has left many families traumatised. She noted that several women, girls, and children remain missing or trapped in the custody of criminal groups, without justice or accountability. “Across the country, families are living in fear and uncertainty as women and girls continue to disappear into the hands of bandits, kidnappers, and organised criminal networks,” she added.
She cited recent attacks in Borno and Oyo States, where dozens of children were reportedly abducted during attacks on schools and communities. Akiyode-Afolabi also highlighted the growing incidents in parts of South-West Nigeria, where women travelling, farming, or residing in rural communities were allegedly kidnapped for ransom. She referenced reports from Ekiti State, indicating that several women, including a pregnant woman and a nursing mother, were abducted earlier in the year.
In Kwara, she noted that women and children were abducted during attacks on communities by suspected bandits and armed groups, with more than 170 residents, mostly women and children, reportedly kidnapped from communities in Kaiama Local Government Area and other parts of the state. Akiyode-Afolabi warned against the gradual normalisation of abductions, claiming that many communities were adjusting to fear instead of receiving protection from authorities.
She called on the Federal Government and security agencies to intensify rescue operations and strengthen security around schools, highways, and vulnerable communities nationwide. Akiyode-Afolabi demanded transparent investigations, prosecution of perpetrators, and accountability for recurring security lapses affecting women, girls, and children. Furthermore, she advocated for psychosocial support, medical care, and reintegration assistance for survivors of abduction, violence, and related traumatic experiences.
Akiyode-Afolabi urged authorities to adopt gender-responsive security strategies that recognise the unique risks faced by women and girls during conflicts and insecurity.