Gunmen abduct dozens from Nigerian schoolsabduct dozens from Nigerian schools in Oyo state
Gunmen attacked several schools in southwestern Nigeria’s Oyo state over the past week, abducting at least 39 schoolchildren and seven teachers, while local officials and rights groups said more than 80 children were missing across the wider wave of attacks.
One teacher was killed and security operatives were wounded during a rescue attempt, underscoring the scale of the security breakdown in parts of Nigeria.
The kidnappings deepen pressure on authorities as school attacks continue to threaten education and fuel insecurity in the country’s northwest and southwest.
Nigerian Officials
Authorities describe the attacks as a major security challenge and say they are trying to recover the captives. They also say the violence has spread across multiple states, making coordinated response harder.
Christian Association of Nigeria
The group says the victims include many children and adults from schools, and it is pressing for urgent action to secure their release. Its account highlights the human toll on families and faith communities in the affected areas.
- Nigeria has Africa’s largest population and one of its biggest school-age populations.
- Kidnapping for ransom has become a major criminal economy in parts of Nigeria.
