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This week, northern Nigeria has been plagued by a surge of violent incidents, including coordinated kidnappings, school raids, and attacks on local communities. These events have escalated public anxiety and intensified demands for swift and effective intervention from federal authorities.
Escalating Violence in Northern Nigeria: An Overview
The states of Niger, Kebbi, Kwara, Nasarawa, and Borno have all experienced significant security breaches, with armed groups targeting educational institutions and civilian populations. The following sections provide a comprehensive summary of the key attacks that have unfolded over the past week.
Niger State: Armed Raiders Abduct Students and Staff at St. Mary’s School
In the early hours of Friday, assailants launched a pre-dawn assault on St. Mary’s Primary and Secondary School, a private Catholic boarding school located in Papiri community, Agwara Local Government Area. Arriving around 2:00 a.m. on motorcycles and vans, the attackers infiltrated the campus while students were asleep, abducting an undisclosed number of pupils, teachers, and support staff. During the raid, a security guard sustained gunshot wounds.
Police spokesperson SP Wasiu Abiodun confirmed the incident and noted that combined police and military units have been deployed to the surrounding forests in search of the abductees. Notably, the Niger State Government disclosed that the school had resumed boarding operations despite prior government advisories to keep facilities closed due to credible intelligence warning of imminent threats in the Niger North Senatorial District.
Kebbi State: Over 20 Schoolgirls Abducted in Wasagu Local Government Area
Just days before the Niger State incident, armed men kidnapped more than 20 schoolgirls in Kebbi State’s Wasagu Local Government Area. The girls were reportedly seized while returning from school-related activities, marking one of the largest abductions of schoolchildren in Kebbi this year.
Security officials report that the kidnappers were heavily armed and exploited the region’s challenging terrain to evade capture. This event has reignited national concern, especially given the recurring pattern of mass school kidnappings in northern Nigeria over recent years. Efforts to locate and rescue the abducted girls are ongoing.
Kwara State: Gunmen Kidnap Worshippers During Religious Event Near Ilorin
In a separate attack, gunmen targeted a religious gathering on the outskirts of Ilorin, Kwara State, abducting several worshippers. Eyewitnesses report that the assailants cordoned off the area, discharged firearms into the air to instill fear, and forced victims into nearby bushes before fleeing.
In response, the Kwara State Government promptly ordered the closure of schools in the affected localities as a precautionary measure. This incident has heightened fears of violence spilling over from neighboring northern states, further destabilizing the region.
Nasarawa State: Armed Men Kidnap Students from Peter’s Foundation Secondary School
On Thursday night, Peter’s Foundation Secondary School in Rukubi, Doma Local Government Area, was attacked by armed assailants who abducted several students. While the exact number of victims remains unconfirmed, the assault caused widespread panic, prompting immediate school closures in the vicinity.
Parents rushed to the scene after hearing gunfire, and joint security patrols commenced extensive searches in nearby forests. This marks the third school-related kidnapping in northern Nigeria within the same week, underscoring the escalating threat to educational institutions.
Borno State: Boko Haram Ambush Results in Deaths of Eight CJTF Volunteers
Adding to the week’s turmoil, a deadly ambush by Boko Haram insurgents occurred on Thursday morning in Warabe community, Gwoza Local Government Area. Around 10:00 a.m., members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) were attacked while collecting firewood.
Reports indicate that over 20 militants, arriving on at least five motorcycles and on foot, armed with machine guns, engaged the CJTF members. Despite returning fire, the volunteers ran out of ammunition, leading to the militants overpowering and killing eight CJTF members. Three others remain missing and are feared abducted.
The insurgents confiscated weapons and mobile phones from the victims, using the phones to lure additional local hunters under false pretenses before disappearing into the forest. Warabe lacks a permanent military presence and relies heavily on CJTF volunteers and local hunters for security, highlighting the vulnerability of such communities.
Conclusion: Addressing the Growing Security Crisis in Northern Nigeria
The recent spate of kidnappings and violent attacks across northern Nigeria underscores the urgent need for enhanced security measures and community protection strategies. With educational institutions increasingly targeted, the safety of students and staff remains a critical concern. Federal and state governments must prioritize intelligence-led operations, community engagement, and resource allocation to curb the rising tide of violence and restore public confidence.
