By Diana Omueza
A coalition of women’s rights and civil society organisations known as Womanifesto Nigeria have condemned the abduction of girl children and women in Nigeria, demanding immediate rescue of victims still in captivity.
Dr Abiola Akiyode-Afolabi, the Chairperson of Womanifesto Nigeria, said this in a statement on Wednesday in Abuja.
She described the repeated attacks on schools, communities and travellers as a worsening national security crisis disproportionately affecting women, girls and children across the country.
She said Nigerian children belonged in schools, safe homes and secure communities, not in forests, kidnappers’ hideouts 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 said.
Akiyode-Afolabi noted that worsening insecurity in the country had left many families traumatised, while several women, girls and children remained missing or trapped in what she called 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 said.
She cited recent attacks in Borno and Oyo States where dozens of children were reportedly abducted during attacks on schools and communities.
She also expressed concern over the growing incident in parts of South-West Nigeria where women who were travelling, farming or residing in rural communities she said were allegedly kidnapped for ransom.
“Women should not have to choose between feeding their families and risking abduction on farms, highways or within their own communities,” she said.
Akiyode-Afolabi referenced reports from Ekiti State indicating that several women, including a pregnant woman and a nursing mother, were abducted by gunmen earlier in the year.
She highlighted incidents in Kwara where women and children were abducted during attacks on communities by suspected bandits and armed groups.
“More than 170 residents, mostly women and children, were reportedly kidnapped from communities in Kaiama Local Government Area and other parts of the state.
“The repeated incidents reflect systemic failures in security response, protection mechanisms and law enforcement across the country.
“Delayed rescue efforts expose victims, especially women and girls, to sexual violence, physical abuse, trauma and exploitation while in captivity.
“It is an unacceptable situation for families to negotiate ransoms, search forests and publicly plead for help without adequate state protection,” she added.
Akiyode-Afolabi warned against the gradual normalisation of abductions, noting that many communities were adjusting to fear instead of receiving protection from authorities.
She claimed that parents were increasingly withdrawing their children from schools, while women faced growing insecurity in public spaces, farms, highways and rural communities.
The woman leader called on the Federal Government and security agencies to intensify rescue operations and strengthen security around schools, highways and vulnerable communities nationwide.
She also demanded transparent investigations, prosecution of perpetrators and accountability for recurring security lapses affecting women, girls and children.
Akiyode-Afolabi further advocated psychosocial support, medical care and reintegration assistance for survivors of abduction, violence and related traumatic experiences.
She urged authorities to adopt gender-responsive security strategies recognising the unique risks faced by women and girls during conflicts and insecurity.
“Nigeria cannot continue to lose women and children to violence while citizens receive repeated assurances without concrete and sustainable action from authorities,” she said.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Chidi Opara
