shootings

Gunmen Abduct⁣ Over 200 Students and Teachers in Nigeria School Attack

KADUNA, NIGERIA – Gunmen attacked a school in Nigeria’s Kaduna state on⁣ Thursday, abducting 215 students and 12 ⁤teachers, authorities confirmed.Teh mass ‌kidnapping underscores the escalating insecurity plaguing northern ​Nigeria, where​ armed⁤ groups ‍continue to target schools and⁣ civilians despite government efforts.

The attack on the school, located in the Chikun local ‍government‌ area, is ⁢the latest in ‌a ​series of abductions that have raised concerns about the safety⁣ of children and the government’s ability to protect it’s citizens.while the identities of the⁣ perpetrators remain ⁤unconfirmed, the ⁤region has seen increased activity from various armed groups, and‌ analysts say the ⁢majority of victims of these groups are Muslims in Nigeria’s Muslim-majority north, where most attacks occur. The incident highlights a broader failure to address the root causes of insecurity, ⁣including⁤ a lack of prosecution for known attackers and​ widespread corruption that hampers security forces.

Residents blame the​ insecurity on a failure to ⁣prosecute known⁣ attackers, and the rampant corruption that limits weapons supplies to security forces while ensuring a‍ steady supply to the gangs. Eze ⁤Gloria ⁣Chidinma, 27, a Lagos-based influencer, told The Associated Press her sister ⁤escaped the⁢ school⁤ during the attacks by jumping a fence. Chidinma recounted ⁢her family’s previous experience with kidnapping,stating,”My mother and my older brother where kidnapped last year. We called security, we ​called the police, and⁤ thay just saeid there is nothing they can do,” adding that the family⁢ paid “a⁣ huge amount of ‌money” for⁣ their release. “My message ‌to the authorities right now is to think about the people. Yoru job is to protect lives ⁤and⁤ properties. People’s lives should matter to you,” she‍ said.

Yohanna ‌Buru, a ⁤pastor ​and head‍ of⁣ the Peace Revival And Reconciliation Foundation, called for increased security around schools in affected areas. “If the government was doing enough, then rampant kidnappings all ⁣over ⁣the country would ‍not have happened,” he stated.”It’s as if they don’t care⁣ about the ⁣future of our children.”

Authorities have launched a search and ⁤rescue operation, but as of friday, ⁢the whereabouts ‍of the ⁢abducted students and teachers⁢ remain unkown.⁤ The incident is likely to‌ further fuel calls for‍ greater security measures and a more‍ thorough approach⁤ to tackling the ongoing violence in the region.