Afeez Ayinde SaheedThe wave of insecurity in Nigeria has worsened over time, despite successive administrations— from former President Goodluck Jonathan to the late Muhammadu Buhari and now President Tinubu—promising to end the crisis. What remains particularly alarming is the growing pattern of attacks in the north, where secondary school students have become recurring targets of terrorists and bandits.
Below is a comprehensive list of secondary schools attacked by armed groups between 2014 and 2025.
1. Maga Comprehensive Girls’ Secondary School Kidnap (2025)
On November 11, 2025, terrorists carried out a violent assault on Maga Comprehensive Girls’ Secondary School in Kebbi State at about 5:52 a.m., abducting numerous students.
No fewer than 25 students were taken from the Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School in Maga, Danko/Wasagu LGA, the Kebbi State Police Command confirmed.
Police spokesperson CSP Nafi’u Abubakar Kotarkoshi said the attack was executed by heavily armed bandits, resulting in the death of a staff member and injury to another.
Despite security efforts, the attackers breached the perimeter fence and dragged the students from their hostel.
Kotarkoshi noted that one Hassan Makuku died in the assault, while Ali Shehu suffered gunshot wounds to his right hand.
In response, Commissioner of Police Bello Muhammad Sani deployed additional tactical teams, backed by the military and local vigilantes.
He added that joint forces have moved into nearby forests to search for the abducted students and track down the perpetrators.
2. Chibok Kidnapping (2014)
On April 14, 2014, Boko Haram militants stormed Government Girls Secondary School, Chibok, Borno State, abducting 276 schoolgirls. The incident triggered global outrage and the #BringBackOurGirls movement, becoming Nigeria’s most widely recognised mass abduction.
This occurred under former President Goodluck Jonathan. From 2016 to 2017, 108 girls were rescued by Nigerian forces.
One of the captives, Rabiat, a Christian teenager at the time, was coerced into converting to Islam and forced into successive marriages. She later became a mother of three.
She recounted that infighting within Boko Haram allowed her to escape before surrendering to the Nigerian Army.
“I left because Boko Haram had problems and were fighting [with each other],” she said in Hausa, recalling how some captives fled during the group’s internal conflict.
3. Dapchi Kidnapping (2018)
On February 19, 2018, Boko Haram abducted about 110 girls aged 11–19 from Government Girls Science & Technical College, Dapchi, Yobe State. Most of the girls were eventually released, but the attack underscored the persistent dangers facing students in the northeast.
Like the Chibok incident, the abduction sparked widespread condemnation. The Nigerian government faced immense pressure to rescue the students and improve school security.
Most girls were freed weeks later following negotiations with Boko Haram. However, Leah Sharibu, aged 14, remained in captivity after refusing to renounce her Christian faith.
4. Kankara Abduction (2020)
On December 11, 2020, more than 300 boys were captured from Government Science Secondary School, Kankara, Katsina State, after armed bandits stormed the school.
Hundreds of gunmen reportedly invaded the premises, shooting sporadically. While many students escaped into bush paths, over 300 were marched deep into forested areas.
The attack occurred while President Buhari was visiting the state. International bodies including UNICEF and the UN demanded immediate action.
Over 340 boys regained freedom on December 17, 2020, after negotiations. Although the state government said no ransom was paid, experts believe concessions were likely.
The boys later described suffering hunger, beatings, and exhausting treks during captivity.
5. Kagara Abduction (2021)
On February 17, 2021, armed bandits raided Government Science College, Kagara, in Niger State, kidnapping students, teachers, and staff.
One student was killed, while 27 students, three staff members, and 12 family members were abducted. The attackers fled into surrounding forests.
The Niger State Government immediately opened negotiations, avoiding force to protect the hostages. Federal authorities likewise condemned the abduction.
After days of negotiation, the captives were freed on February 27, 2021. It remains unclear whether a ransom was exchanged.
6. Jangebe Abductions (2021)
On February 26, 2021, bandits carried out a nighttime raid at Government Girls Secondary School, Jangebe, Zamfara State.
Attackers broke into the hostel, overpowering the limited security and firing gunshots to intimidate the students. A total of 279 girls were taken into the nearby forests.
Parents rushed to the school the next morning, desperate for news.
All abducted students were released on March 2, 2021. While officials denied paying ransom, many Nigerians doubted the claim.
Following the incident, many parents withdrew their children from the institution.
7. Afaka and Greenfield University Attacks (2021)
On March 11, 2021, 39 students were seized from the Federal College of Forestry Mechanisation, Afaka, Kaduna State. Weeks later, on April 20, 2021, 22 individuals, including students and staff, were kidnapped from Greenfield University, Kaduna State.
8. Federal Government College, Birnin Yauri (June 2021)
On June 17, 2021, bandits attacked Federal Government College, Birnin Yauri, killing a police officer and abducting at least 80 students and five teachers.
9. Kuriga School Abduction (2024)
On March 7, 2024, 227 pupils were taken from a Local Government Education Authority School in Kuriga, Kaduna State, highlighting that school abductions remain a severe national concern.
Breakdown of kidnapping
According to Save the Children, between 2014 and 2022, about 1,683 students were kidnapped across roughly 70 incidents. Most attacks occurred in the northwest and northeast, where security challenges are most severe.
