The 24 schoolgirls, who were abducted by armed assailants from a school last week in Nigeria’s Kebbi state, have been rescued, President Bola Tinubu announced. The attack, which occurred around 4 a.m. on Nov. 3, involved ‘sophisticated weapons,’ according to police reports. Tinubu expressed relief at the successful rescue but warned that increased security must be implemented in vulnerable regions to prevent further kidnappings.
No details have been released regarding the specifics of the rescue mission or the identity of the group responsible for the abduction. The incident in Kebbi is part of a wave of recent kidnappings in the country where armed groups have targeted educational institutions. This trend underscores the urgent need for improved security measures across Nigeria.
The attack in Kebbi comes amid a series of similar incidents, including a raid on a Catholic school in Niger state last week where over 300 students and staff were abducted. School officials reported that 50 students, aged 10 to 18, escaped individually between Friday and Saturday, leaving 253 students and 12 teachers still in custody. These events highlight the growing threat to educational institutions in Nigeria.
Nigeria has faced a series of attacks targeting Christians and their institutions, prompting the Trump administration to label the country a ‘country of particular concern.’ However, the Nigerian government has contested these allegations. The situation has intensified the need for international support and collaboration in combating the rise of targeted violence against religious and educational communities in the region.