Nigeria blames jihadist groups for wave of kidnappings but others accuse criminal gangs

Analysts instead blame criminal gangs for the kidnapping of more than 250 schoolchildren last week.

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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: