kidnappings for ransom

Nigeria’s Senate approved a constitutional amendment allowing states to establish their own police forces to address a long-standing security crisis marked by terrorist attacks, farmer-herder clashes, and kidnappings. The bill, which will next go to state assemblies and the president, faces criticism over potential political manipulation by state governors.

Gunmen kidnapped seven students from an off-campus residence in Kaura Namoda, Zamfara state, northwest Nigeria. One student escaped, and police are searching for the remaining six. Zamfara has seen a rise in student kidnappings for ransom in recent years.