Almost 300 students abducted by gunmen in northern Nigeria

Armed men abducted 287 students from an elementary and secondary school in Nigeria’s northwest on Thursday, reports said Friday.

The incident occurred in Kagara, a town in Niger state, where a group of unidentified gunmen stormed the Government Science College and forcefully took the students away. The abductees include 279 students from the school’s boarding house, as well as three members of staff and their 10 relatives.

Sani Abdullahi, a teacher at the school, described the terrifying ordeal, saying that the gunmen were heavily armed and came in large numbers, making it impossible for anyone to resist. He also mentioned that the abductors targeted only male students, leaving behind the girls.

This is not the first time that such an incident has occurred in Nigeria. In December 2020, over 300 boys were abducted from a school in Kankara, Katsina state, and were later released after negotiations with the government. And just last week, 42 people, including 27 students, were kidnapped from a school in Kagara.

This recent abduction has sparked outrage and condemnation from both within and outside of Nigeria. Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari has ordered security forces to rescue the students and to bring the perpetrators to justice. He also assured the affected families that the government is doing everything possible to ensure the safe return of their children.

The Nigerian police have deployed special forces to the area, and a joint rescue operation is currently underway to secure the release of the abducted students. The state governor, Abubakar Sani Bello, has also ordered the immediate closure of all boarding schools in the region to prevent further attacks.

The abductions have once again highlighted the issue of insecurity in Nigeria’s northwest region, where bandits and criminal gangs have been terrorizing communities for years. It is a sad reality that innocent students and their families have to bear the brunt of such violence and lawlessness.

In recent years, Nigeria has made significant progress in the education sector, with more children having access to education. However, such incidents of mass abductions threaten to reverse these gains and create fear among parents, discouraging them from sending their children to school.

But amidst this grim situation, there is also hope and resilience. The parents and families of the abducted students have refused to lose hope and have been praying and pleading for the safe return of their loved ones. The community has also come together to offer support and assistance to the affected families.

In the face of such adversity, it is heartening to see that the spirit of unity and determination is still alive in the people of Nigeria. The government must also act swiftly and decisively to ensure the safe return of the abducted students and to prevent such incidents from happening in the future.

Education is a fundamental right of every child, and no one should have to live in fear of being kidnapped from their school. It is the responsibility of the government to provide a safe and secure environment for its citizens, especially for young and vulnerable students.

This incident also serves as a wake-up call for the Nigerian government to take urgent measures to address the issue of insecurity in the country. It is time to invest more in security and to strengthen law enforcement agencies to protect its citizens and their rights.

In conclusion, the abduction of 287 students from a school in Nigeria’s northwest serves as a stark reminder of the challenges that the country is facing in terms of security. But it is also a reminder that the people of Nigeria are resilient and determined to overcome these challenges. Let us unite and work towards a safe and secure future for our children.