Metro
TIMELINE: At Least 334 Nigerian Students Kidnapped in One Year
- /home/naijuinz/public_html/wp-content/plugins/mvp-social-buttons/mvp-social-buttons.php on line 27
https://naijablitznews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Bandits1.jpg&description=TIMELINE: At Least 334 Nigerian Students Kidnapped in One Year', 'pinterestShare', 'width=750,height=350'); return false;" title="Pin This Post">
- Share
- Tweet /home/naijuinz/public_html/wp-content/plugins/mvp-social-buttons/mvp-social-buttons.php on line 72
https://naijablitznews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Bandits1.jpg&description=TIMELINE: At Least 334 Nigerian Students Kidnapped in One Year', 'pinterestShare', 'width=750,height=350'); return false;" title="Pin This Post">
No fewer than 15 students have been reported missing following the mass abduction in the Gidan Bakuso area of Gada Local Government Area of Sokoto State. FIJ gathered from media reports that the aggressors invaded the community, shot one person and abducted the students from their school around 1:00 am on Saturday.
The incident happened barely 24 hours after reports of the abduction of about 100 primary school pupils and 187 secondary students in Kuriga, Chikun Local Government Area, Kaduna State. In both incidents, state actors described the aggressors as bandits.
However, these incidents are not the first mass abductions from Nigerian schools. Between January 2023 and the time of this report, FIJ found five different incidents of mass abduction on school premises across different states in northern Nigeria.
The two incidents in 2024 alone have, however, accounted for more than 80 percent of the victims of these mass abductions. Similarly, FIJ reported how about five pupils were kidnapped in a school bus in Ekiti in January.
Here is a timeline of the three other incidents and the number of students kidnapped in each:
JANUARY 2023: 6 PUPILS ABDUCTED IN NASSARAWA
In January 2023, not less than six pupils were abducted from their school premises at the Local Government Education Authority Primary School, Alwaza, in the Doma Local Government Area. FIJ found reports from community sources stating that the six pupils were kidnapped by heavily armed men around 7:00 am on January 20, 2023.
On February 3, all six kidnapped pupils were reportedly rescued through the combined efforts of the police and vigilante forces. The children were between the ages of five and seven at the time of the incident. They were reportedly rescued unhurt.
APRIL 2023: TWO STUDENTS ABDUCTED IN ZAMFARA
Two undergraduate students, identified as Zaynab and Maryam, were abducted from their hostels opposite the main campus of the Federal University, Gusau, on April 2, 2023. FIJ found media reports stating that the criminals disarmed the security personnel guarding the hostel and escaped with the two victims.
Most importantly, however, Zamfara has been a hotspot of kidnappings targeted at students and non-students alike. FIJ reported several attacks targeted at several hostels off the school premises in 2023.
SEPTEMBER 2023: 24 STUDENTS WERE KIDNAPPED IN ZAMFARA
Around 3:00 am on September 22, 2023, a group of armed men invaded three student hostels in Sabon Gida. A total of 24 students were reported to have been kidnapped in the incident.
FIJ reported a survivor’s account of this same incident, detailing how well-armed the kidnappers were and how they were rescued through a gun battle between the military and the criminals. Most poignantly, the survivor stated that the school authority and the security forces did not seem to care about the attacks.
Beyond these five incidents, there were other cases of student kidnappings in 2023 outside of the school premises. Notable among these incidents was the abduction of over 80 children in Zamfara State in April 2023; the kidnapping of eight students in Kaduna on April 8, 2023; the kidnapping of four children in Imo in May 2023; and the kidnapping of seven UNIJOS in June 2023.
A woman was rescued on Tuesday after she reportedly jumped into the Lagos Lagoon from the Idumota section of the Carter Bridge in what was believed to be an attempt to take her own life.
The incident, which happened on the afternoon of August 4, attracted the attention of commuters, pedestrians and boat operators in the area, who quickly responded to rescue her.
Eyewitnesses said the woman plunged into the lagoon before nearby boat operators moved towards her and successfully brought her out of the water alive.
A video circulating online captured the moment the woman, appearing distressed and confused, was seated inside a rescue boat shortly after she was pulled from the lagoon.
During the rescue operation, a crowd gathered on the bridge, with some bystanders appealing to the boat operator not to immediately hand the woman over to the police.
Some members of the public were also heard expressing concern about her emotional condition while questioning the circumstances that may have led to the incident.
The development has renewed discussions on the importance of mental health awareness, emotional support systems and the need for early intervention for individuals experiencing psychological distress.
Authorities are yet to release an official statement regarding the incident, and details about the woman’s identity and current condition remain unknown.
The Kano State Hisbah Board has detained a TikToker popularly known as Namadina Tudunwada over allegations that he promoted premarital sex in a viral video shared on social media.
The board said the suspect was arrested by its Tudunwada Command after officials reviewed a video in which he allegedly presented illicit sexual relationships as a cheaper alternative to marriage, a message authorities believe could negatively influence young people.
In a statement issued on Monday, the Deputy Commander-General of the Kano State Hisbah Board, Dr. Mujahid Aminuddeen, said the content was considered capable of encouraging immoral behaviour and undermining the moral and religious values the board is mandated to protect.
According to him, investigators are examining the circumstances surrounding the publication of the video and other related materials before determining the next legal steps.
He said the suspect would be charged in court if the outcome of the investigation substantiates the allegations against him.
The incident comes amid growing public debate over the rising cost of marriage in northern Nigeria. While the TikToker has recently used his social media platforms to advocate for lower marriage expenses, the Hisbah Board maintained that the specific video under investigation crossed acceptable boundaries by allegedly portraying fornication as a preferable alternative to marriage.
Dr. Aminuddeen also cautioned social media influencers and other digital content creators to exercise greater responsibility in the content they publish online.
He warned that posts capable of eroding public morality or misleading young audiences could attract legal consequences.
The deputy commander-general reaffirmed the board’s commitment to monitoring digital platforms for content considered contrary to the moral and religious values upheld in Kano State. He also urged social media users to be mindful of the messages they disseminate.
A 21-year-old Nigerian basketball player, Daniel Tobiloba Adegboyega, has been arrested in the United States and charged with first-degree rape.
According to court records, the Jacksonville State University men’s basketball player is being held at the Calhoun County Jail pending a bond hearing. Jail records also show that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has placed a hold on him.
The charge stems from an incident said to have occurred on July 29, 2026. An arrest warrant alleges that Adegboyega engaged in s+xual intercourse with the complainant “by forcible compulsion,” in violation of Alabama law.
Adegboyega joined Jacksonville State in May after spending last season at the University of California, Riverside, having previously played for the University of South Florida. He had also signed with Kennesaw State in 2022 but never featured for the team.
Following his arrest, Jacksonville State suspended him from its men’s basketball team and removed his profile from the university’s athletics website.
In a statement, the university said: “We are aware of the arrest. In response, the individual has been suspended from the men’s basketball team.”
It added that the alleged incident did not occur on campus and remains under investigation by the Jacksonville Police Department. Under Alabama law, a conviction for first-degree rape carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.
How I was scammed, businessman who paid N400m to embattled PFIPC DG Adeyemi tells HoR C’ttee
BREAKING: Gov Adeleke raises alarm as over 60 Accord members arrested, moved to Abuja prison
Just in: WAEC releases 2026 WASSCE results as girls top boys in Maths, English
-
News11 hours agoGood news as Tinubu jerks up soldiers salaries by 80%
-
News11 hours agoPolice summon VDM, question AIG Moshood Jimoh over allegations, insist on due process
-
News11 hours agoPay Rise: Defence Minister Assures Tinubu Of Renewed Military Commitment
-
News24 hours agoNigeria-Israel Renew Push for Stronger Security, Trade and Technology Partnership
-
News11 hours agoJust in: Sultan of Sokoto denies approving TInubu for 2nd term
-
Politics24 hours agoAmaechi, a political liability with zero electoral value in Rivers — Wike
-
News19 hours agoAlleged N400m Contract Scam: Reps Summon FRSC Chief as Businessman Recounts Ordeal Before Committee
-
Metro11 hours ago
Lady saved from jumping into Lagos lagoon