In the last 72 hours, armed terrorists and bandits have carried out coordinated abductions across four states, taking at least 402 people – predominantly schoolchildren and worshippers – hostage in Niger, Kebbi, Kwara, and Borno states.
Breakdown of Ongoing Cases:
Niger State: 286 students and staff of Government Science College, Kagara (the second major school attack in the state within a week) remain in captivity after gunmen stormed the school in the early hours of Monday.
Kebbi State: 24 female students abducted from Federal Government Girls’ College, Birnin Yauri extension campus, were released Tuesday night after 48 hours. However, terrorists later circulated a video mocking the federal government, claiming the girls were freed through a “peace agreement and payment,” not a military rescue operation as initially announced by security sources.
Kwara State: 38 worshippers, including the pastor’s wife, abducted from a Christ Apostolic Church branch in Eruku, Oyun LGA during Sunday service are still being held. Two victims were killed during the attack.
Borno State: 54 farmers and traders abducted along the Maiduguri-Damaturu highway on Sunday have not been accounted for.
In a separate incident on Tuesday night, bandits abducted 19 villagers from Tsanyawa village in Kano State, bringing the total number of people currently in captivity across these states to at least 402 (286 in Niger, 38 in Kwara, 54 in Borno, and 19 in Kano).
Bandits Release Mocking Video Over Kebbi Girls
In the widely circulated footage, masked gunmen surrounded the released Kebbi schoolgirls and openly boasted: “You said you rescued them by force; we released them because we reached a peace deal with the government.” The terrorists displayed bundles of cash and new motorcycles allegedly received as part of the agreement, directly contradicting official statements that the girls were freed through “intensive military pressure.” The video has triggered nationwide outrage and intensified criticism of the government’s handling of hostage situations.
Positive Development in Ondo
In a rare breakthrough, no fewer than 100 repentant cultists and hoodlums in Ondo State voluntarily surrendered their weapons to security agencies on Tuesday. The arms surrender, facilitated by the Ondo State Security Network (Amotekun Corps), included pump-action rifles, locally-made pistols, and cutlasses. The former cult members publicly renounced violence and pledged allegiance to peace.
NANS Issues 7-Day Ultimatum, Threatens Nationwide Shutdown
The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has given the federal government seven days to secure the release of all abducted students and implement concrete measures to end school attacks. National President Lucky Emonefe warned that failure to comply will trigger a total shutdown of academic activities nationwide and mass street protests beginning next week. “We can no longer watch our colleagues being taken like chickens,” Emonefe declared during a press conference in Abuja Wednesday morning.
FCT Schools Remain Open Amid Rumours
Despite viral social media claims of planned attacks on schools in the Federal Capital Territory, the FCT Education Secretariat has confirmed that all public and private schools in Abuja will remain open. Parents had begun withdrawing children following unverified rumours, but security agencies and the FCT administration insist there is no credible intelligence indicating an imminent threat to schools in the territory.
Clarion Newschannel continues to monitor these developing situations.
Wave of Mass Abductions Rocks Northern and Middle-Belt Nigeria; Over 400 Victims Still Held
