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Nigeria is once again grappling with the growing menace of abductions, as two separate incidents in Benue and Delta states highlight the alarming surge in kidnappings across the country. The victims—a Nigeria Immigration Service officer and a civilian—were taken in violent circumstances, underscoring the vulnerability of citizens and the boldness of criminal elements who continue to operate with near impunity.

In Benue State, panic gripped the community of Kuan, near the Modern Market area of Makurdi, on Sunday night when gunmen suspected to be kidnappers stormed the residence of Simon Agbo, an officer of the Nigeria Immigration Service.

Agbo, who had only recently been redeployed from Kwara to the Benue State Command in February, was abducted at gunpoint from his compound where he was spending time with his neighbors.

According to a close family member who spoke to journalists in Makurdi, the assailants arrived at the compound opposite NKST Church and fired several gunshots into the air to instill fear and scatter bystanders before seizing the officer and taking him to an unknown location.

The targeted nature of the abduction has raised suspicions within the community, particularly regarding the conduct of one of Agbo’s neighbors.

The victim’s younger brother disclosed that the said neighbor persistently called Agbo on Sunday night, urging him to return home or disclose his whereabouts. Agbo eventually complied and joined the neighbor and another individual at a nearby compound.

Moments later, the kidnappers struck, bypassing others to seize only the immigration officer. This suspicious behavior prompted the family and local authorities to demand the neighbor’s arrest. He is currently in police custody as investigations continue.

Efforts to locate Agbo began immediately after the incident, with local vigilantes and community youths combing surrounding areas throughout the night, but their search was unsuccessful. As of Monday, the kidnappers had established contact with Agbo’s family and are reportedly demanding a ransom of N20 million for his release.

Attempts to reach the Nigeria Immigration Service and the Benue State Police Command for official comments were unsuccessful at the time of this report.

While the Benue community grapples with the uncertainty surrounding Agbo’s fate, another tale of kidnapping played out in Delta State, where a victim, Azubuike Bright, was released after his family met the demands of his abductors.

Bright was kidnapped on Friday night in Iteogwe, Ibusa, Oshimili North Local Government Area while he was out to buy food.

The abductors, believed to be armed Fulani herdsmen, initially demanded N50 million from his family, threatening that they should prepare for his burial if the demand was not met.

After tense negotiations, the ransom was reduced, and the family reportedly paid N5 million along with food items. Bright was released on Sunday night at approximately 9:00 p.m.

His release was confirmed by Comrade Harrison Gwamnishu, a human rights advocate and Coordinator of the Safe City Project. In a statement dated May 11, 2025, Gwamnishu recounted witnessing the victim’s release and emphasized that the kidnappers—believed to be Fulani herdsmen—remain at large.

He also issued a strong appeal to both the government and security agencies, urging them to address what he described as a growing pattern of violent abductions in Delta State and beyond.

The back-to-back incidents in Benue and Delta are the latest in a troubling pattern of insecurity sweeping through various parts of Nigeria.

The increasing frequency and boldness of these abductions have ignited public anxiety and fueled calls for urgent government action. Many citizens now fear that without decisive intervention, kidnapping could become a normalized threat in both urban and rural communities.

Security analysts and civil society groups continue to urge authorities to revamp intelligence gathering, improve inter-agency coordination, and empower local security outfits to curtail the rising tide of abductions.

As victims’ families grapple with trauma and financial strain, the nation watches closely, hoping for justice, accountability, and above all, the safe return of all those still in captivity.

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