Nigeria: Assailants abduct at least 18 people near Kogi, Jan. 10

Event

Unidentified gunmen abducted approximately 18 businessmen along the Lokoja-Okene expressway in Kogi State, Nigeria, Jan. 10. It is not clear if the group of businessmen was specifically targeted. The location of the victims is unclear. Authorities have not stated if a ransom has been demanded.

Context

There is a high threat of kidnapping in Nigeria. Both locals and foreign nationals are regularly targeted in such incidents. Most kidnappings in Nigeria are financially motivated and conducted by criminal groups of varying levels of sophistication. Militant and/or extremist groups also conduct kidnappings that may be ideologically or financially motivated.