The insurgency prevalent within Nigeria, particularly in Northern Nigeria, has existed over the years at great cost to the country. More worrisome is the trend of abductions of school children, which has become a rampant mode of operation by violent groups. According to a report, Katsina, Zamfara, Niger, Kaduna, and Kebbi state have recorded the most since school abductions gained prominence in 2014. The abduction of more than 24 students during an attack in the Bugundu district of Zamfara state indicates that targeted abductions of students are an issue that persists and requires rapid attention.
For some reasons, the abduction of students has turned out to be the modus operandi of insurgent groups. There has been a prevalence of abduction in Northern Nigeria, as data has shown, especially by the Boko Haram insurgents, which can be tied to its ideology and known disdain for Western education. Drawing from the name “Boko Haram”, which translates to Western education is forbidden, the perpetration of acts of abduction is in line with the ideology of this group. Also, identifying schools as easy targets has allowed these abductions to occur easily. There have also been attacks on schools in North West Nigeria by bandits. Following the abduction of students in Chibok, which gained international attention, it could serve as a pointer for the need to increase security in schools or an avenue for rapid response in the case of school attacks. However, this has not been the case, as abductions of students have continued to occur within Nigeria.
Grinding poverty levels are also a factor contributing to the abduction of students. Nigeria is increasingly facing a dire economic situation. Recent economic reforms have put a greater strain on an already desperate population. A Policy Weekly article, “Would the worsening poverty increase insecurity in Nigeria?” identified that the economic reforms bringing about a high cost of living and the need to meet wants could feed into an already volatile security situation. As a result of the economic situation, violent actors prey on school students, who can be seen as the most vulnerable targets for ransom payments.
The abduction of students from school has had some effects. It has hampered schooling in Northern Nigeria, a region with the lowest levels of education and human development globally. The fear of insurgents has created some scepticism among parents regarding sending children to school. This adds to an already combustible mix of jobless youth and crippling poverty.
The Safe Schools Initiative was launched after the abduction of Chibok girls to bolster security in 18 states of Northern Nigeria. However, it has not stopped the occurrence of school abductions. For instance, the Zamfara abduction prompted an emergency security meeting; while the meeting was to ensure the prompt release of abducted students, there is a need for such conversations to be followed by examining proactive measures to prevent the recurrence.
As the abduction of students is a manifestation of insecurity in Nigeria, it also brings to light the vulnerability of citizens and the need for more practical solutions to address the trend. The Nigerian military has created security posts near certain schools, but the sheer number of schools and landmass in Northern Nigeria means that many remain unprotected. With the identification that schools are easy targets for violent groups, there is a need for state governments to provide tailored operations for rapid response as a more practical solution to individual school policing, which could prove costlier.
Countering extreme ideologies through community engagement and content-specific messaging will help present counter-narratives to terrorists’ antics. But investing in human capital will improve lives, provide better economic opportunities and empower people to be self-reliant.
There is a need to increase counterterrorism efforts in Northern Nigeria. The Nigerian government must re-establish its authority and monopoly of the instrument of violence. Effective securitisation in Northern Nigeria will reduce the likelihood of school abductions.
