Escalating Attacks: Concerns Rise Over Safety of Schoolchildren in Northern Nigeria

The safety of schoolchildren in Northern Nigeria has once again come under scrutiny as bandits carry out audacious attacks across the region.

Between Wednesday, March 6, and Monday, March 11, approximately 800 Nigerians, mostly schoolchildren, were kidnapped by terrorists in various incidents.

According to Amnesty International, Boko Haram terrorists abducted over 400 people, including women and children, in Borno State.

The victims, who had left Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps in Gamboru Ngala council area to search for firewood, were targeted by the extremists.

In another incident, over 280 pupils and teachers of Government Secondary School and LEA primary school at Kuriga, Kaduna State, were abducted by bandits on March 8, triggering national outrage.

The bandits attacked the Kuriga area of the Chikun Local Government Area, shooting at their victims before kidnapping them.

Shortly after the Kuriga incident, assailants struck in Buda community in Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State, abducting over 61 people and reportedly killing four individuals.

Additionally, armed men attacked a boarding school in Gidan Bakuso village of the Gada council area in Sokoto State, abducting about 15 children while they were sleeping.

The same week, over 50 persons, including a family of seven, were killed following an invasion of Gbagir community in Ukum Local Government Area of Benue State, by suspected armed Fulani militia.

Another attack in Wa-ndoo, a community in Mbalom, Gwer-East Local Government Area of Benue State, resulted in the deaths of over 16 people.

These incidents have reignited concerns about the safety of schoolchildren, especially following the 2014 kidnapping of over 200 schoolgirls by Boko Haram in Chibok village.

The recent attacks have heightened tension in schools across the nation, particularly in the Northern region.

In response to fears of further attacks, some schools in the Federal Capital Territory, FCT Abuja, have adjusted their academic calendars to allow students to write their second-term examinations and proceed for Easter holidays.

Parents are calling on the government and security agencies to enhance security measures in schools to ensure the safety of their children.

Meanwhile, the Federal Government has stated that it will not pay any ransom for the release of the abducted pupils and teachers from Kaduna State.

The government is considering offers of help from the United States and other countries to secure the students’ release.