The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria has called on President Bola Tinubu and the National Assembly to swiftly amend the Counter-Terrorism Act to categorise kidnappers as terrorists.
The group described the growing abduction menace as a grave threat to national security and economic survival.
In a statement on Monday signed by National Coordinator, Emmanuel Onwubiko, HURIWA criticised political leaders for failing to treat kidnapping with urgency, labelling such negligence “disgraceful” and faulting security agencies for prioritising the protection of top officials over ordinary citizens.
Citing SBM Intelligence’s report, Locust Business—The Economics of Nigeria’s Kidnap Industry: A 2025 Update, the association revealed that 257 people were abducted in the South-East between July 2024 and June 2025, representing 5.6 per cent of the 4,722 recorded cases nationwide.
Enugu topped the list with 123 incidents, followed by Anambra with 63, Imo 42, Abia 27, and Ebonyi with 2 cases. Kidnappers in the region demanded over ₦1 billion but secured ₦157.55 million, about 6.1 per cent of the ₦2.56 billion reportedly paid nationwide.
Onwubiko warned, “The government must act now. We hope the government is not waiting for one of the governors or a very prominent national legislator to be abducted by kidnappers before swift, comprehensive, and effective steps are taken to combat kidnappings.”
HURIWA noted that the South-East and South-South have suffered “targeted religious abductions and financial extortion,” with clergy and professionals being among the most affected. It also condemned the abduction of Rev. Fr. Wilfred Ezemba of St. Paul Parish, Agaliga-Efabo, Kogi State.
The association further demanded tougher sanctions, insisting that kidnapping should be classified as a capital offence punishable by hanging. It also pressed governors to be prepared to sign execution warrants without delay.
“There is a clear nexus between terrorism and kidnappings. The law must reflect that reality. We are calling for kidnappings to be classified as capital offences, with the severest punishment, death by hanging, prescribed. Governors must also be willing to sign execution warrants in record time,” HURIWA declared.
The group urged South-East governors and stakeholders to convene a regional emergency security summit.
“We appeal to the governors, political office holders, and civil society, religious and traditional leaders in the South-East to convene an emergency regional security summit. The time to act is now. The bloodshed, fear, and economic paralysis in the region must end.”
