Gunmen Abduct 39 Students and 7 Teachers in Nigeria School Attacks

Armed men abducted 39 students and seven teachers from schools in southwestern Nigeria last week. Officials said the coordinated raids took place on Friday in the Ahoro Esinele community in Oriire district. The attacks targeted a secondary school and two primary schools, with children aged between two and 16 taken.

Police described the raids as simultaneous strikes on Baptist Nursery and Primary in Yawota and two other schools in Esiele.

A joint rescue operation involving soldiers, police and local vigilantes was disrupted when the group encountered improvised explosive devices planted by the attackers. Several people were wounded during the encounter and are receiving treatment. Officials reported that one abducted teacher was killed on Sunday.

Six suspects have been arrested, including alleged informants and logistics suppliers to the kidnappers.

Tinubu condemned the attack as barbaric and stated that the federal government is working with Oyo State authorities to rescue the victims. He said officials expect a breakthrough soon. Governor Oluseyi Abiodun Makinde said the attacks were part of a broader pattern of mass kidnappings that have become a serious security challenge in Nigeria in recent years.