The tragic history of child abductions in Nigeria has cast a dark shadow over recent years’ news. Since the notorious Chibok kidnapping in 2014, the country has witnessed several similar abductions, shedding light on enduring flaws in the federal government’s security apparatus.
On April 14, 2014, Boko Haram terrorists carried out a horrendous act by kidnapping 276 girls from the Government Girls Secondary School in Chibok, Borno State. To this day, 91 of these girls remain missing, underscoring the gravity of the situation and the government’s failure to safeguard its citizens.
Subsequent shocking abductions have further underscored the urgent security situation in Nigeria. In 2017, 10 students were taken from Igbonla Model Secondary School in Lagos, and in 2018, 112 students were abducted from Government Science and Technology Secondary School, Dapchi.
In December 2020, over 300 students were kidnapped from the Government Science Secondary School in Kankara, Katsina State, followed by the abduction of around 80 boys from an Islamic school in Mahuta, also in Katsina. These barbaric incidents highlight the audacity of armed groups and the susceptibility of schools and their students.
The authorities’ lack of readiness and effective response to these abductions is deeply concerning. Negotiations and ransom payments often emerged as the only means of securing the release of hostages, endangering the security and future of Nigerian youth.
It is crucial for the government to take tangible measures to safeguard schools and ensure students’ safety. Investments in security, teacher training, and preventive measures are imperative to thwart future abductions and secure a brighter future for Nigeria’s youth.
Above all, these heinous acts must not go unpunished. It is essential to hold the perpetrators accountable and implement robust security measures to shield schools and students from such atrocities in the future. Nigeria cannot afford to let its children live in fear and insecurity.
Additional relevant external article link:
1. Details of Other School Kidnappings in Nigeria since Chibok in 2014
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