Expert Calls for Action Against Kidnap Victims' Torture

Steven Kefa, a senior research analyst at the Observatory of Religious Freedom in Africa, has called for government intervention to address the torture of kidnap victims in Nigeria, particularly focusing on Christians in the northern regions. Kefa's remarks follow the harrowing testimony of Sundai Cletu, who was abducted on February 28, 2026, in Kaduna State.

Cletu described severe torture during his captivity, revealing a systematic and organized approach to kidnapping by Fulani ethnic militias. Kefa's research indicates that Christian victims face harsher treatment and higher ransom demands compared to Muslim abductees, who are often treated with more restraint.

He emphasized the need for a brave challenge to restore security and peace in affected communities, noting that the ongoing crisis has displaced hundreds of thousands across the Middle Belt and Northwest regions of Nigeria. Kefa's findings are based on extensive field research and survivor testimonies, highlighting the urgent need for action against these human rights violations.