#kidnapping

On June 21, 2026, at approximately 6:46 p.m., police intervened in a kidnapping attempt on the Benin-Abraka Road near the NNPC Pipeline area, which has been identified as a hotspot for criminal activities. The police successfully rescued the passengers involved in the incident, according to the police report.

The Edo State Police Command has apprehended four individuals, including a 27-year-old woman, linked to a kidnapping syndicate. This follows the abduction of a woman at the Vegetable Market along Airport Road in Benin City on June 14, 2026, where her husband reportedly managed to escape from the assailants, who are believed to be kidnappers.

Two South African Police Service (SAPS) officers and an informer have been sentenced to prison for their involvement in a robbery and kidnapping that occurred during an unlawful operation in Randburg on May 8, 2018. The incident involved the theft of R1.2 million from three foreign nationals.

In Ogun State, Nigeria, police operatives from the Anti-Kidnapping Unit have killed two suspected kidnappers and recovered ₦2.2 million, which is believed to be proceeds from their criminal activities. This operation is part of a broader manhunt initiated by the police to combat kidnapping in the region, according to Ripples Nigeria.

Edo State authorities have initiated a manhunt for an individual named Liberty, who is alleged to be an arms supplier connected to a recent kidnapping incident at a market in Benin. In relation to this case, four suspects have been arrested, and one suspect has been reported killed.

The Oyo State Police Command has clarified that reports suggesting a traditional ruler in Oriire Local Government Area was invited for questioning regarding the kidnapping of pupils and teachers are false. The police addressed these claims in a recent statement, emphasizing their commitment to accurate communication about the ongoing investigation.

Security experts have raised concerns that insufficient investment in kidnapping investigation skills has left Ugandan law enforcement agencies vulnerable, contributing to rising public anxiety as kidnapping cases increase. The Kampala Metropolitan Police reported three high-profile kidnappings in the past two months, which resulted in two fatalities and one successful rescue, highlighting the challenges faced by police in addressing these incidents.

A ransom note allegedly from Nancy Guthrie's kidnappers claimed that they did not intend for her to die and included an apology to her family. The circumstances surrounding her abduction and subsequent death remain under investigation, according to BBC World.

A report by Nextier has indicated that in May 2026, Nigeria experienced 279 kidnappings and 842 fatalities resulting from 156 violent incidents. These statistics highlight a deteriorating security situation in the country, according to the Nigeria Violent Conflicts Database.