At least 28 schoolchildren out of the nearly 300 who were kidnapped by gunmen have managed to escape, according to the governor of Nigeria’s Kaduna state. This comes as the Nigerian army, in collaboration with the police and local search teams, intensifies their efforts to locate and rescue the abducted children, who were taken from the northern town of Kuriga on Thursday.
Gangs of armed men on motorcycles carried out the brazen mass abduction, targeting primary and secondary school children between the ages of eight and 15. With almost every family in the town affected by this tragedy, parents and relatives have formed vigilante groups while seeking support from neighbouring communities in the search for their missing loved ones.
The recent kidnapping in Kaduna state is the largest mass abduction from a school since 2021 and has sparked memories of the infamous Chibok abduction in 2014, where almost 300 girls were taken from a town in Nigeria’s northeast. The incident highlights the growing concerns over the safety of children attending schools in northern Nigeria.
In response to the increasing number of kidnappings, Nigeria’s Vice President, Kashim Shettima, is visiting Kaduna state to meet with Governor Uba Sani and assess the situation on the ground. The governor has pointed out that the lack of security personnel in the area has contributed to the rise in kidnappings. President Bola Tinubu has expressed confidence that the victims will be rescued and emphasized that justice will be served to those responsible.
The search efforts are not limited to Kaduna state alone. Authorities have expanded their operations to include Katsina and Zamfara states, where there have also been reports of recent abductions. This multi-state approach aims to track down the kidnappers and secure the safe return of the abducted children.
Kidnappings for ransom have become a recurring issue in northern Nigeria, resulting in thousands of children being deterred from attending school due to safety concerns. The government took action in 2022 by passing a law banning ransom payments to kidnappers and enforcing a 15-year prison sentence for perpetrators. In cases where victims lose their lives, abduction is now punishable by death, highlighting the seriousness with which the government is treating this issue.
Given the scale of the kidnappings and the impact on communities, international attention and support are crucial. Nigeria’s allies and neighbouring countries are also closely monitoring the situation and offering assistance where possible, as the focus remains on a swift and successful rescue operation.
The plight of the abducted schoolchildren in Kaduna has pushed the need for better security measures and increased efforts to combat criminal gangs in Nigeria. By addressing the root causes of kidnapping and ensuring effective law enforcement, the government can restore confidence in education and provide a safe environment for Nigerian children to pursue their dreams.
The ongoing search for the missing schoolchildren is not just a national emergency but a human tragedy that requires urgent action. The international community must stand in solidarity with Nigeria, supporting their efforts in bringing an end to these horrific acts and safeguarding the future of young lives.
