Nigeria has made global headlines following a surge of violent attacks, including the abduction of dozens of students from schools and a deadly assault on a church service. The recent incidents have intensified pressure on the Nigerian government, prompting President Bola Tinubu to postpone foreign trips.
No group has officially claimed responsibility, but authorities say many attacks are carried out by armed gangs seeking ransom. In northwest Kebbi State, gunmen kidnapped 25 students from a predominantly Muslim girls’ school—the first major school abduction since March 2024. On the same day, another gang seized 64 people, including women and children, in Zamfara State.
On Tuesday, attackers stormed a service at Christ Apostolic Church in Kwara State, killing two worshippers and abducting 38 others, demanding a ransom of roughly $69,000 per person. On Friday, 52 students were kidnapped from St. Mary’s Catholic School in Niger State.
Security experts say schools are easy targets, and kidnappers are motivated by the high ransoms parents are willing to pay. Most of northern Nigeria, covering over 20 states, faces severe insecurity, while militant groups such as Boko Haram and ISWAP continue their insurgency in the northeast, displacing millions.
Despite claims of religious persecution, analysts note that both Christians and Muslims have been victims of violence, and Nigeria emphasizes that its security forces are working to protect all communities.
The Nigerian military, the largest in sub-Saharan Africa, is actively combating bandits and insurgents, but attacks continue due to the vast and remote areas where gangs operate. According to U.S.-based monitoring group ACLED, over 1,923 attacks against civilians have occurred this year, killing more than 3,000 people.
The U.S. has threatened sanctions and possible military cooperation to pressure Nigeria into strengthening protections for religious communities, while traditional leaders are also engaging bandits in peace talks.
