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Gunmen kill teacher, abduct 25 students in northwest Nigeria school raid
Armed assailants stormed a girls' secondary school in northwestern Nigeria early Monday, killing one teacher and abducting at least 25 students, according to police. The attack unfolded at approximately 04:00 local time (03:00 GMT) at the Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School in Maga, Kebbi State.
Attack details and casualties
The gunmen, described by police as a large group, exchanged fire with officers stationed at the school before breaching the perimeter fence. They forcibly entered the students' hostel, abducting the girls at gunpoint. A staff member was fatally shot while attempting to shield the students, and a second employee sustained gunshot injuries and is currently receiving medical care.
Eyewitnesses reported the attackers arrived firing sporadically, creating chaos. Local residents told the BBC the gunmen later marched the abducted girls into nearby bushland, a common tactic used by armed groups in the region.
Security response and ongoing search
Police confirmed the deployment of additional tactical units, military personnel, and local vigilante groups to the area. A coordinated search-and-rescue operation is now active in the surrounding forests and along suspected escape routes, though no further details on progress were provided.
Broader context of school abductions
The incident marks the first major school abduction in Nigeria since March 2024, when over 200 pupils were seized in Kuriga, Kaduna State. Schools in northern Nigeria have faced repeated attacks over the past decade, with armed groups frequently targeting students for ransom or as leverage in negotiations with authorities. In response, the Nigerian government has banned ransom payments to deter such kidnappings.
Community impact
Families in Maga are reported to be in a state of distress, awaiting updates on the whereabouts and safety of their daughters. The attack underscores the persistent security crisis in the region, where armed groups-locally referred to as bandits-continue to exploit vulnerabilities in rural communities.
