Nigeria is witnessing a disturbing surge in kidnappings, with several high-profile cases shaking the nation. In a shocking attack, gunmen abducted over 300 students, including children as young as 10, from St. Mary’s Catholic School in Papiri, Niger State.
About 50 of these students have since escaped, but the rest remain in captivity. In another incident, four staff members and their children were kidnapped from the University of Abuja, highlighting the brazen nature of these attacks ¹ ².
The motives behind these kidnappings are largely economic, with gangs demanding hefty ransoms from families or the government. No group has claimed responsibility, but experts link the attacks to amorphous bandit groups operating in the northwest and north-central regions. The government has responded by deploying tactical squads and local hunters for rescue operations and ordering schools in affected areas to shut down.
