Nigeria has witnessed repeated mass abductions of students over the past decade, beginning with the 2014 Chibok schoolgirls kidnapping and continuing with attacks by both Islamist militants and armed criminal gangs seeking ransom.
The latest incident involves the kidnapping of more than 300 students and teachers from a school in Niger State— one of the largest such attacks in recent years. Many of these abductions occur in remote boarding schools with limited security presence. While most victims are eventually released after negotiations, the incidents have drawn national and global outrage.
Chibok Girls – 2014
In April 2014, Boko Haram militants abducted nearly 300 schoolgirls from Chibok in Borno State, triggering the global #BringBackOurGirls campaign. Some girls escaped or were later rescued, including one recovered as recently as 2024. Dozens remain missing. Boko Haram also kidnapped over 100 schoolgirls from Dapchi, Yobe State, in 2018.
Kankara Boys – 2020
In December 2020, gunmen abducted 344 students from a boys’ boarding school in Kankara, Katsina State, during a visit by then-President Muhammadu Buhari to the state. The students were released days later. The gang leader, Auwalun Daudawa, later surrendered under an amnesty deal but was subsequently killed in clashes.
Jangebe Schoolgirls – 2021
In February 2021, 279 girls were kidnapped from the Government Girls Science Secondary School in Jangebe, Zamfara State. Many reported being forced to trek long distances before being released after negotiations.
Bethel Baptist High School – 2021
Armed men attacked the Bethel Baptist High School in Kaduna in July 2021, abducting about 120 students. Victims were freed in batches over several months, mostly after ransom payments. An envoy who delivered ransom money for the students was himself kidnapped afterward.
Kaduna Train Attack – 2022
In March 2022, gunmen detonated explosives on the Abuja–Kaduna rail line, attacked a passenger train, killed eight people, and kidnapped dozens. The attack raised fears about collaboration between bandits and extremist groups. Hostages were later freed after negotiations. A separate train station attack in southern Nigeria in 2023 also resulted in the abduction of about 30 passengers.
Kuriga School – 2024
In March 2024, armed men disguised in military uniforms stormed Kuriga High School in Kaduna and abducted more than 100 students. While initial figures suggested 280 victims, the military later said it rescued all 137 kidnapped pupils.
Nigeria continues to grapple with mass school abductions despite increased security deployments and government efforts to curb banditry and militant activities.
