137 Nigerian schoolchildren are freed from abduction

Nearly 300 Nigerian children were abducted from their school in Kaduna, with at least 137 being released after more than two weeks in captivity. The gunmen invaded the school on motorcycles and took the children into the forest before security forces could respond. This is just one of many abductions that have occurred in Nigeria in recent years, with over 1,400 students being kidnapped since 2014. The kidnappings are often carried out by armed groups in the country’s northwestern and central regions.

The 137 children were rescued in Zamfara state, over 200 kilometers away from their school, according to Nigerian military spokesman Maj. Gen. Edward Buba. Efforts are ongoing to rescue the remaining hostages and bring the perpetrators to justice. The rescue of 17 other schoolchildren in Sokoto state was also reported, but details of the operations were not provided. President Bola Tinubu has promised to implement strategies to ensure the safety of schools and prevent further abductions.

While Tinubu vowed not to pay any ransom for the children’s release, it is common for families to arrange for payments to secure the release of their loved ones. The identity of the abductors in the Kaduna kidnapping is known, according to sources familiar with the security crisis in Nigeria’s northwest. The perpetrators are believed to be hiding in the region’s vast forests, where arrests are rare in such cases.

No group has claimed responsibility for the abduction, but locals have blamed bandit groups known for carrying out mass killings and kidnappings for ransom. Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, a cleric who has negotiated with the bandits, and Professor Murtala Ahmed Rufa’i, an expert in peace and conflict studies, have indicated that the abductors are likely hiding in the ungoverned forests of the region. In Nigeria, victims are often released after ransom payments are made or through negotiations with government and security officials.

The ongoing challenge of mass kidnappings in northern Nigeria has put pressure on the government to take decisive action to address the security situation. President Tinubu has pledged to prioritize the safety of schools and prevent further abductions. Efforts to rescue the remaining hostages and apprehend the perpetrators continue, as the country grapples with the persistent threat of armed groups operating in the region. The release of the abducted children is a positive development, but the underlying security crisis in Nigeria’s northwestern region remains a significant concern.