Gunmen launched an assault on a high school in northwestern Nigeria in the early hours of Monday, seizing 25 schoolgirls and killing at least one staff member, authorities reported. The incident marks the latest abduction of students in the region, with no specific group claiming responsibility for the act or clear motivation behind it.
Nigeria is currently grappling with a complex security crisis, particularly stemming from unidentified armed bandits known for engaging in kidnapping for ransom, often demanding substantial amounts of money. These bandits have been involved in numerous high-profile abductions across the northern part of Nigeria, leading to a surge in kidnappings, village attacks, and incidents along major roads due to the inadequate security presence in the region.
Unlike militant organizations like Boko Haram or Islamic State West Africa Province, the bandits responsible for the schoolgirls’ abduction are believed to operate independently. The girls were taken from their dormitories at 4 a.m. local time in Maga, located in the Danko-Wasagu area of Kebbi state, according to police spokesperson Nafi’u Abubakar Kotarkoshi.
Armed with sophisticated weaponry, the assailants engaged in a firefight with security personnel before kidnapping the girls. A joint team is currently conducting a coordinated search and rescue operation to locate the abducted students and apprehend the perpetrators. While the police spokesperson confirmed one fatality and an injury, a resident whose family members were taken during the attack claimed that the death toll could potentially be two.
The region has witnessed a series of attacks on schoolchildren since 2014, when Boko Haram infamously abducted 276 students from Chibok in Borno state, instilling widespread fear. Over the years, armed groups have continued to target students, with at least 1,500 individuals kidnapped for ransom. Despite these challenges, recent efforts by state governments to enhance security measures have helped reduce school raids in certain areas.
Overall, the abduction of schoolgirls in Nigeria underscores the persistent security threats faced by communities in the region, highlighting the need for continued vigilance and proactive measures to safeguard the well-being of students and residents.