Mass abductions return, 145 missing in four days

Kebbi map

Nigeria is witnessing a resurgence of mass abductions as at least 145 people have been kidnapped in Kebbi, Niger and Zamfara states in the past four days.

The resurgence of mass kidnappings raises familiar political and security alarms as the country gears up for the 2027 polls.

In the run-up to the 2023 general elections, abductions were rampant.

A report by The PUNCH showed that between January and March 2023 alone, 792 people were abducted across Nigeria.

Many of these incidents were tied to banditry and criminal gangs, especially in the north.

However, as the political parties are warming up for the 2027 elections, there appears to be a resurgence of the situation.

In the early hours of Monday, armed men stormed the Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School, Maga, in Danko/Wasagu Local Government Area of Kebbi State, abducting 25 female students and killing a staff member.

A school guard was also injured during the attack, which occurred early in the morning.

The Nigeria Police Force, in a statement shared via its WhatsApp channel, confirmed the incident, noting that police tactical units deployed within the school engaged the attackers but the gunmen escaped with the abducted students.

The police said additional tactical teams, in collaboration with the military and vigilantes, have been deployed to comb suspected bandit routes and nearby forests in a bid to rescue the victims and arrest the perpetrators.