Unending School Raids

The recent wave of student kidnappings in Northern Nigeria has intensified concerns about the precarious state of education in the region. In Kuriga, Kaduna state, about 300 students have been kidnapped from their school during assembly hours, and even more recently, in Gada local government of Sokoto state, about 15 students were abducted from school as well.

The recent surge in student kidnappings in Northern Nigeria is a grim reminder of the Chibok girls’ abduction in 2014. According to Amnesty International, 98 girls remain unaccounted for, still in the captivity of Boko Haram, an insurgent group in Nigeria who are famous for their antagonism against Western education. Other incidents of student kidnappings are the Dapchi girls, 2018, where 110 girls were taken into custody by Boko Haram and Kankara boys which saw the abduction of over 300 boys from a secondary school in Katsina, 2020. The echoes of these tragic events have lingered, contributing to the current atmosphere of fear and uncertainty surrounding the safety of students in the region.

A disturbing parallel emerges when considering whether these kidnappings are orchestrated to increase the ranks of perpetrators and indoctrinate vulnerable individuals. Drawing comparisons with the Chibok girls’ abduction and other incidents, questions about the motives behind such heinous acts and the potential long-term consequences for the abducted students are paramount. Although, the perpetrators of the recent kidnap incidents have not been precisely identified so the motive behind the kidnaps remain unknown since various armed groups carry out attacks within the region.

According to research carried out by Save the Children International, there have been 70 incidents of kidnappings and killings on education in Nigeria between 2014-2022, and 65 of these were in the northern region of the country. The consequences of these on the educational system are staggering. UNICEF Statistics reveal a disheartening number of school children are forced to drop out, their dreams truncated by the menace of insecurity, and some parents have sent their daughters into early marriages since safe education is no longer assured in the region. The prolonged disruption in affected states and local government areas (LGAs) has left educational operations in disarray, requiring significant time and resources for recovery.

Girls, often the worst affected by school kidnap crises, already face unique challenges in accessing education in the northern region. Barriers such as child marriage and labour, sexual violence, a deeply patriarchal system and acute poverty prevent female children from acquiring proper education. These factors, coupled with the destabilization of educational institutions in the region leave young girls with little to no future outside the chasm of illiteracy.

The continuous disruption of education in Northern Nigeria implies that one of the most fundamental human rights is steadily slipping out of reach for countless children. Beyond the immediate repercussions, the long-term impact on the development of the affected states’ populations raises concerns about the region’s future prospects. Beyond the immediate trauma, the government must implement targeted initiatives to support and empower affected girls and boys, ensuring they have the opportunity to rebuild their lives through education.

As education becomes a casualty of insecurity, urgent measures are needed to restore hope and normalcy. The government must prioritise and enforce comprehensive security strategies to combat the forces bedevilling the region. Other strategies such as the Safe Schools Declaration that seeks to protect students and education personnel from violent attacks should be implemented as well. Root causes such as poverty and unemployment must be addressed, and a collaboration with local communities to ensure a safer environment for education. The scourge of student kidnappings in Northern Nigeria casts a long shadow over the region’s educational landscape. To secure a brighter future, concerted efforts must be made to address the immediate challenges, prevent future incidents, and restore the academic foundations crucial for Northern Nigeria’s development and well-being.