In brief
The Nigerian government has accused jihadist groups Boko Haram and the Islamic State in West Africa Province (Iswap) of being behind a recent series of kidnappings in north-western and central Nigeria. However, analysts argue that criminal gangs known as 'bandits' are responsible. This follows a wave of abductions involving schools and churches, with many victims still in captivity. The government's claims remain unsubstantiated by evidence, and there are ongoing debates about the true nature of the kidnappers and their motives.
The Nigerian government says jihadist groups Boko Haram and Islamic State in West Africa Province (Iswap) are behind the recent wave of abductions in north-western and central Nigeria, but this has been disputed by analysts who tell the BBC they were committed by criminal gangs locally known as bandits.
This is the first time the government has stated who it believes is responsible for the kidnappings but it has not revealed any evidence to back its claims.
Kidnap for ransom has become big business in parts of Nigeria in recent years - with the culprits ranging from kidnap gangs, jihadists and separatists.
It is a lucrative money-spinner but officials consistently deny paying ransoms.
In the past fortnight alone, there have been three mass kidnappings in the region:
- 17 November - in Maga, Kebbi state, at Government Girls Comprehensive secondary school. Two people were killed and 25 abducted including one teacher - now all free.
- 18 November - in Eruku, Kwara state, at Christ Apostolic Church. Two were killed and 38 abducted - all since freed.
- 21 November - in Papiri, Niger state, at St Mary's Catholic School. More than 250 children and 12 members of staff reportedly kidnapped, although officials question these figures.
Paying ransoms has been made illegal in Nigeria, although there are allegations this ban has been widely ignored.
Speaking to the BBC, presidential spokesman Sunday Dare would not say whether money had been paid to free the minority of abductees who were recently released, simply stating: Whatever processes are involved - kinetic, non-kinetic, negotiations, etc - have been successful.
Asked who was behind the kidnappings, he replied: Abundant data - both nationally and internationally - reveals clearly that Iswap are all over the place. Also, whatever is left of Boko Haram, they are right there. They are the ones involved in this process.
Iswap is a splinter group of Islamist militant group Boko Haram, which has been waging an insurgency in north-eastern Nigeria for more than a decade.
Analyst Bulama Bukarti told the BBC he did not agree with the government's claims that jihadist groups were behind the recent wave of kidnappings. I don't think that's accurate. There is no Iswap or Boko Haram cell resident in the north-west. The recent kidnappings, including the mass abductions, were carried out by bandits, not Boko Haram or Iswap, he said.
The bandits are local armed groups, often on motorbikes, with no central organisation, who operate mainly in the north-west. Whereas Boko Haram and Iswap mainly operate hundreds of miles away, in Nigeria's north-east.
Nigeria's security crisis has been thrown into the international spotlight in recent weeks after US President Donald Trump threatened to send over troops guns a-blazing if the government continues to allow the killing of Christians.
Nigerian officials and analysts say that members of all faiths are victims of the violence and kidnappings and that it is not true that Christians are being targeted.
