Nigeria is witnessing a resurgence of mass abductions as at least 145 people have been kidnapped in Kebbi State (Northwest), Niger State (North central) and Zamfara state {Northwest) 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 Northern Nigeria.
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.
“On November 17, 2025, at about 0400hrs, a gang of armed bandits with sophisticated weapons stormed the school, shooting sporadically.
“The police tactical units engaged them in a gun duel, but the bandits had already scaled the fence and abducted 25 students. One Hassan Makuku was shot dead, while Ali Shehu sustained an injury to his right hand, “ the statement partly read.
The force spokesperson, Benjamin Hundeyin, could not be reached for more information on the incident.
But the Commissioner of Police, Kebbi State Command, Bello Sani, reiterated the command’s resolve to protect residents and urged the public to remain calm and support ongoing operations.
The Kebbi incident came just two days after at least 16 vigilante members were killed and 42 residents kidnapped in seperate attacks by bandits in the Mashegu Local Government Area of Niger State.
Also, on Saturday, bandits attacked Fegin Baza village in the Tsafe Local Government Area of Zamfara State, killing three persons and abducting at least, 64 others.
In another attack on Sunday, bandits launched a fresh assault on Tsohuwar Tasha village in the Ruwan Doruwa Ward of Maru Local Government, abducting 14 people, including 11 women and three children.
Recent reports by Daily Trust indicates that communities in Zurmi, Shinkafi, Maradun, Tsafe and Bungudu LGAs of Zamfara State have faced repeated assaults in recent months, leading to displacement and the imposition of levies and ransoms by armed groups.
Source: Punch News
