Gunmen Kidnap 46 Pupils, Teachers in Coordinated Nigeria School Raids
Dozens of children and teachers were abducted after armed men attacked three schools in Nigeria’s Oyo State, in what authorities described as a coordinated operation targeting young learners and education staff.
Armed men abducted at least 39 pupils and seven teachers during coordinated attacks on three schools in southwestern Nigeria’s Oyo State, international media and local authorities have confirmed.
According to Al Jazeera, the attacks took place on Friday in the Ahoro Esinele community in Oriire district, where gunmen stormed one secondary school and two primary schools. The report stated that the victims included children aged between two and 16 years. Elisha Olukayode Ogundiya, chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria in Oyo State, told AFP that a total of 46 people were taken during the attacks.
Reuters reported that police described the incident as a “coordinated attack”, saying armed men simultaneously raided Baptist Nursery and Primary School in Yawota, together with two other schools in the Esiele community. Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu condemned the attacks, describing them as “barbaric”. According to Reuters, the president said the federal government was working with Oyo State authorities to secure the release of all the abducted victims.
Oyo State Governor Oluseyi Abiodun Makinde said one abducted teacher was killed on Sunday after kidnappers allegedly released a video showing the incident. According to Al Jazeera, six suspects have since been arrested, including individuals accused of supplying information and logistical support to the kidnappers.
Governor Makinde also revealed that a joint rescue mission involving soldiers, police officers and local vigilantes was disrupted after security teams encountered improvised explosive devices planted by the attackers. Several rescue personnel were injured and are receiving treatment.
Mass kidnappings have become a growing security challenge in Nigeria, where armed criminal gangs frequently target schools, rural communities and travellers for ransom payments. Although such attacks are more common in northern parts of the country, school raids in southwestern Nigeria remain uncommon. Authorities said investigations and rescue operations are continuing.
