Fresh assaults on schools last week — including two major abductions in Niger and Kebbi states — have reopened painful memories for many Nigerians and raised new concerns about the safety of children in parts of the country, especially the North.
On Friday, gunmen abducted 303 students from a Catholic school in Niger State, barely five days after 25 students were kidnapped in Kebbi State. These incidents follow a troubling pattern that began in April 2014, when Boko Haram seized 276 schoolgirls from Chibok and exposed the fragility of school security across the nation.
Reports from Save the Children International and UNICEF indicate that from April 2014 to December 2022, about 70 attacks were recorded, leading to more than 1,680 abductions. Over 180 children lost their lives in these incidents, while more than 90 remain unaccounted for. Additionally, at least 60 school staff members were abducted during that period.
Findings by Sunday Vanguard show that between January 2023 and November 2025, Nigeria experienced another 22 school-related attacks, with 816 students kidnapped. These figures represent only verified cases; several others — particularly in remote communities across Niger, Zamfara, Sokoto and Katsina — are believed to have gone unreported.
A Crisis That Evolved Over Time
The Chibok abduction marked a critical turning point. Militants invaded the school at night and took away 276 girls, many of whom remain missing after more than a decade. Instead of deterring further attacks, the incident sparked a wave of similar crimes.
As Boko Haram’s influence shifted, armed criminal groups in the North-West turned mass abductions into an organised enterprise. Students became primary targets, and several states — including Kaduna, Kebbi, Katsina, Zamfara, Sokoto and Niger — witnessed repeated assaults.
UNICEF’s monitoring shows that only 37 percent of schools in ten high-risk states have even the most basic early-warning systems. Human Rights Watch notes that the lack of accountability has emboldened criminal groups to continue attacking schools.
The Human Toll on Students and Families
Behind these statistics lie thousands of traumatised children and families. Many students remain fearful of attending school, while parents — unable to guarantee safety — keep their children at home. UNICEF estimates that more than one million children in Nigeria have expressed fear of returning to school due to insecurity.
In 2020 alone, more than 11,500 schools were shut down because of security threats. Many survivors struggle with trauma, stigma and disrupted education, and available reintegration programmes remain insufficient.
Government Responses and Ongoing Gaps
Government reactions often involve strong public statements, security deployments, and the creation of task forces. For example, after the recent Kebbi attack, President Bola Tinubu directed the Minister of Defence to relocate to the state.
However, these efforts have not always translated into consistent, long-term improvements. Some operations have resulted in quick rescues, while others took months or yielded incomplete outcomes. Analysts argue that the national response needs to evolve from reactive measures to a more coherent, preventive strategy.
Public outrage has accompanied almost every major abduction, prompting protests, vigils and widespread calls for reform. International partners have occasionally provided support, but implementation of safe-school standards remains weak in many states.
The Challenge of Ransom Payments
Although the Federal Government repeatedly denies paying ransom, reports from communities, investigators and parents suggest that ransom payments have occurred after several abductions. Documented cases — such as Chibok, Dapchi, Kuriga, Greenfield University and others — indicate that families or intermediaries may have provided money or valuables to secure release.
This practice, experts warn, has encouraged further kidnappings by creating financial incentives for armed groups.
A Call for Stronger Protection of Schools
Stakeholders across the country continue to warn that Nigeria risks normalising a cycle of attacks with grave consequences for education and national stability. Alhaji Haruna Danjuma, President of the National Parent and Teacher Association of Nigeria, described the situation as deeply distressing and noted that parents remain committed to educating their children but fear for their safety.
Comrade Alao John, the South-West Coordinator of NANS, urged the government to strengthen school security and confront the growing threat of kidnappers.
Many believe that protecting schools requires a combination of safe-school standards, improved intelligence gathering, community collaboration, and a clear national policy on ransom.
Timeline of Major School Attacks (2014–2025)
Here are key incidents reported since 2014:
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14 April 2014: Chibok, Borno — 276 girls abducted.
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25 May 2017: Igbonla Model College, Lagos — six pupils taken.
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019 February 2018: Dapchi, Yobe — about 110 girls abducted.
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11 December 2020: Kankara, Katsina — over 300 boys kidnapped.
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17 February 2021: Kagara, Niger — 27 students abducted.
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26 February 2021: Jangebe, Zamfara — around 279 girls taken.
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11 March 2021: Afaka, Kaduna — 39 students kidnapped.
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20 April 2021: Greenfield University, Kaduna — at least 20 abducted.
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5 July 2021: Bethel Baptist School, Kaduna — over 120 students taken.
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30 May 2021: Tegina, Niger — about 200 pupils abducted.
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17 June 2021: Yauri, Kebbi — 11 students kidnapped.
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2023–2024: Multiple smaller incidents across Nasarawa, Zamfara, Kaduna, Rivers, Imo, Jos and others.
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7 March 2024: Kuriga, Kaduna — about 287 pupils abducted.
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17 November 2025: Kebbi — 25 students kidnapped.
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21 November 2025: Niger — 303 students taken from a Catholic school.