(Scypre.com) – In a distressing escalation of violence in northwestern Nigeria, a recent assault by armed assailants on a school has led to the disappearance of a significant number of students, marking the second such mass abduction in a span of just one week.
This alarming incident unfolded at the Kuriga school in Kaduna state, with local authorities and school officials scrambling to ascertain the exact number of children affected. The reports emerging from Abuja, courtesy of Al Jazeera’s Fidelis Mbah, suggest that while approximately 25 students have fortunately been reunited with their families, a worrying total of 275 remain unaccounted for, with a substantial portion believed to be children aged between eight to 15.
In response to this heinous act, Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu has taken a firm stance, ordering the nation’s security and intelligence forces to not only ensure the swift and safe return of the victims but also to bring those responsible to justice. The Kaduna state Governor, Uba Sani, while addressing the media, expressed a commitment to leaving no child behind, despite the uncertainty surrounding the exact number of students kidnapped.
The attack took an unexpected turn when Idris Maiallura, a local councilor for Kuriga, disclosed that initially, 100 primary school pupils were seized by the gunmen. However, in a fortunate turn of events, these children were later released or managed to escape.
The repeated incidents of abduction have raised serious concerns over the security measures in place in these areas, with parents and local residents voicing their frustration and fear over the apparent lack of protection. These sentiments are echoed by international organizations such as UNICEF and Amnesty International, both of which have condemned the attack and called for immediate action to safeguard students and educational institutions. They stress that schools should be havens of safety and learning, not arenas of fear and violence.
This latest tragedy has not only devastated the affected families but also highlighted the broader issue of kidnappings for ransom in Nigeria, a country that has seen its share of such crimes, particularly in the northwest. The incident is reminiscent of the 2014 Chibok abduction by Boko Haram, underscoring the persistent threat of armed groups in the region.
Despite efforts to curb these attacks, including initiatives launched by President Tinubu to bolster national security, challenges remain, particularly in terms of military capability and community complicity, which facilitate the operations of these criminal syndicates.
The situation paints a grim picture of the complexities involved in combating organized crime and terrorism in Nigeria, pointing to the need for a multifaceted approach that addresses both security and socio-economic issues to ensure the safety and well-being of the nation’s youth and the broader community.