What's happened
Between November 21-23, 2025, armed bandits abducted over 250 students and 12 teachers from St. Mary's Catholic School in Niger State, Nigeria. This follows a recent kidnapping of 25 schoolgirls in Kebbi State. Nigerian security forces, including military and local hunters, are actively searching for the victims amid escalating insecurity in northern Nigeria. President Bola Tinubu postponed foreign trips to address the crisis.
What's behind the headline?
Escalating Kidnappings Reflect Deep Security Failures
The recent mass abductions at St. Mary's School in Niger State and the earlier Kebbi State attack underscore the chronic insecurity plaguing northern Nigeria. These kidnappings are not isolated incidents but part of a broader pattern where armed bandits exploit vast ungoverned spaces to conduct ransom-driven attacks.
Complex Security Landscape
The perpetrators are mostly criminal gangs motivated by financial gain, distinct from jihadist groups like Boko Haram and ISWAP, though alliances between bandits and jihadists are increasingly concerning. The Nigerian military, despite being the largest in sub-Saharan Africa, is overstretched and struggles to secure remote areas.
Political and Social Implications
President Bola Tinubu's cancellation of his G20 summit trip highlights the gravity of the crisis. The government's failure to act decisively has eroded public trust, with local leaders criticizing inadequate school security and intelligence failures. Meanwhile, U.S. political figures, including former President Donald Trump, have spotlighted alleged Christian persecution, a narrative Nigeria disputes, emphasizing that Muslims suffer equally.
Forecast and Consequences
Without significant reforms and increased resources for security forces, kidnappings will likely continue, destabilizing communities and disrupting education. The international spotlight may pressure Nigeria to enhance counterterrorism and anti-banditry efforts, but entrenched corruption and porous borders complicate these efforts.
Relevance to Readers
This crisis illustrates how insecurity in one region can have global implications, affecting international diplomacy and humanitarian concerns. It also highlights the challenges governments face in protecting vulnerable populations, especially children, from armed violence.
What the papers say
Reuters journalist MacDonald Dzirutwe provides a comprehensive overview of the attacks and Nigeria's complex security challenges, noting that "the attacks are indiscriminate and follow a similar pattern" involving armed gangs known as bandits. He highlights the U.S. government's consideration of sanctions and military engagement to compel Nigeria to protect religious freedom. AP News quotes Most Rev. Bulus Dauwa Yohanna, who confirmed the escape of some abducted children but noted that 253 students and 12 teachers remain captive. The Independent details the attack's timing and the government's intelligence failures, quoting local voices like pastor Yohanna Buru who criticized the government's inadequate response. The New Arab and Al Jazeera emphasize the broader regional insecurity, with The New Arab noting the closure of schools in neighboring states and the Catholic Church's statement on the attack. France 24 and Sky News focus on the immediate aftermath and government reactions, including President Tinubu's canceled G20 trip. These sources collectively paint a picture of a multifaceted crisis involving criminality, insurgency, and political tension, with varying emphases on religious persecution narratives and government accountability.
How we got here
Northern Nigeria faces persistent insecurity from armed gangs known as bandits, who kidnap civilians for ransom. This violence is compounded by jihadist insurgencies in the northeast. Schools have become frequent targets, with over 1,500 students abducted since Boko Haram's 2014 Chibok kidnapping. The Nigerian government is under pressure to improve security amid international scrutiny.
Go deeper
- What is the Nigerian government doing to stop the kidnappings?
- Who are the armed groups behind these attacks?
- How is the international community responding to Nigeria's security crisis?
Common question
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Who Is Responsible for the School Abductions in Nigeria?
The ongoing school kidnappings in Nigeria have raised urgent questions about who is behind these attacks. Armed gangs, including bandits and jihadist groups, are responsible for many of these incidents, targeting schools for ransom and regional destabilization. But who exactly is carrying out these abductions, and what are their motives? Below, we explore the key questions surrounding this crisis and what is being done to stop it.
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Why Are School Kidnappings Increasing in Nigeria?
Recent reports of mass school kidnappings in Nigeria have raised urgent questions about the rising violence targeting students. Why are these attacks becoming more frequent, and what is driving this alarming trend? In this page, we explore the reasons behind the surge in school kidnappings, what the government is doing to protect students, and who is responsible for these attacks. Read on to understand the complex security challenges Nigeria faces today.
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What Are the Main Causes of Rising Violence in Nigeria?
Recent events in Nigeria highlight a surge in violence driven by multiple factors. From insurgency and banditry to religious and ethnic tensions, understanding the root causes is key to grasping the ongoing security crisis. Below, we explore the main reasons behind Nigeria's increasing violence and what it means for regional stability and international concerns.
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What Are Countries Doing to Address Violence in Nigeria and Kashmir?
Recent attacks in Nigeria and Kashmir highlight ongoing security challenges in these regions. Governments and international forces are actively working to combat violence, but the effectiveness of these efforts varies. Below, explore what measures are being taken, who is involved, and how regional conflicts are being managed worldwide.
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Why Are School Abductions Increasing in Nigeria?
Recent months have seen a troubling rise in school abductions across Nigeria, with armed gangs targeting students and schools in regions like Niger and Kebbi states. This surge raises urgent questions about the causes behind these attacks, the government's response, and what communities are doing to stay safe. Understanding the factors fueling this crisis is crucial for anyone concerned about education, security, and stability in Nigeria today.
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Why Are There So Many Kidnappings in Nigeria Right Now?
Recent reports reveal a surge in kidnapping incidents across Nigeria, especially targeting schools and communities in the northern regions. Understanding why these kidnappings are happening now involves looking at ongoing security challenges, criminal gangs, and regional instability. Many are asking what measures Nigeria is taking to combat this crisis and how it affects students, teachers, and local communities. Below, we explore the key questions surrounding this alarming trend.
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Are Nigeria’s School Attacks Linked to Climate Issues?
Recent attacks on Nigerian schools have shocked the world, raising questions about security, politics, and even climate change. Many wonder if there’s a connection between Nigeria’s ongoing insecurity and global climate issues, and how these crises influence each other. Below, we explore the links, impacts, and potential solutions to this complex situation.
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How Are Global Security and Climate Issues Interconnected?
Recent events highlight the complex links between security crises and climate change. From Nigeria's rising insecurity to international climate negotiations, understanding how these issues influence each other is crucial. Explore the key questions surrounding global security and climate change below.
More on these topics
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Nigeria, officially the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a sovereign country located in West Africa bordering Niger in the north, Chad in the northeast, Cameroon in the east, and Benin in the west.
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Kebbi State (Hausa: Jihar Kebbi; Fulfulde: Leydi Kebbi 𞤤𞤫𞤴𞤣𞤭 𞤳𞤫𞤦𞥆𞤭) is a state in northwestern Nigeria, bordered to the east and north by the states of Sokoto and Zamfara, and to the south by Niger State while its western bor
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Bola Ahmed Adekunle Tinubu is a Nigerian accountant and politician who served as the Governor of Lagos State from 1999 to 2007 and Senator for Lagos West during the brief Third Republic.
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The Islamic State in West Africa or the Islamic State's West Africa Province, formerly known as Jamā'at Ahl as-Sunnah lid-Da'wah wa'l-Jihād and commonly known as Boko Haram, is a jihadist terrorist organization based in northeastern Nigeria, also active
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Donald John Trump is an American politician, media personality, and businessman who served as the 45th president of the United States from 2017 to 2021.
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Niger State is a state in the North Central region of Nigeria, bordered to the east by Kaduna State and the Federal Capital Territory, to the north by Kebbi State and Zamfara State, and to the south by Kogi and Kwara states, while its western border makes
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The Nigerian Army (NA) is the land force of the Nigerian Armed Forces. It is the largest component of the Nigerian Armed Forces. The President of Nigeria is the Commander-in-Chief of the Nigerian Army, and its professional head is the Chief of Army Staff.
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The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) is an umbrella organisation containing numerous Christian denominations in Nigeria.