Nigeria faces another harrowing episode of mass abductions as fifteen children were kidnapped from a school in Gidan Bakuso village, Sokoto state. This incident marks the third such attack in less than a week, following the abduction of at least 287 school pupils by gunmen.
According to police spokesman Ahmad Rufa’i, the assailants struck in the early hours of Saturday, seizing the children from their hostel before security forces could respond. The remote location of the village has posed challenges for the rescue mission, with inaccessible roads hindering police efforts.
Liman Abubakar Bakuso, the school owner, recounted the chaos as gunmen fired sporadically, sending students fleeing for cover. “They succeeded in abducting 15 of my students,” Bakuso lamented, expressing panic and prayers for their safe return.
The recent spate of abductions underscores the persistent threat faced by Nigerian communities. Just days earlier, gunmen surrounded a school in Kuriga town, abducting hundreds of students. Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna state vowed to ensure the safe return of every child, pledging cooperation with security agencies.
These incidents revive memories of past atrocities, including the abduction of 276 female students by Boko Haram militants a decade ago. Despite efforts to locate the missing students, many remain unaccounted for, highlighting the ongoing trauma inflicted by such acts of violence.
The scourge of kidnappings extends beyond Nigeria’s borders, with neighboring countries also grappling with similar challenges. The recent abduction of fifty people in the Gamboru area underscores the regional impact of insecurity and armed extremism.
As Nigeria confronts this escalating crisis, Vice President Kashim Shettima met with parents of the abducted Kuriga students, offering reassurance of ongoing efforts to secure their release. However, the ordeal underscores the urgent need for concerted action to address the root causes of insecurity and protect vulnerable communities across the region.
