The insecurity in Nigeria has worsened over the years, with different administrations promising to end the scourge. From former President Goodluck Jonathan to the late Muhammadu Buhari and the incumbent President Bola Tinubu, Nigeria has continued to battle terrorists and bandits.
More worrisome is the trend that insecurity has taken, especially in northern Nigeria, where secondary school students have frequently become targets.
Below is a detailed list of secondary schools attacked by armed groups between 2014 and 2025.
1. Maga Comprehensive Girls’ Secondary School Kidnap (2025)
On November 11, 2025, terrorists launched a deadly attack on Maga Comprehensive Girls’ Secondary School in Kebbi State around 5:52 a.m., abducting several students. At least 25 students were taken from the Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School in Maga, Danko/Wasagu Local Government Area, according to the Kebbi State Police Command.
Police spokesperson CSP Nafi’u Abubakar Kotarkoshi explained that heavily armed bandits carried out the attack, killing one staff member and injuring another. Despite officers’ efforts, the attackers scaled the perimeter fence and abducted the students from their hostel. One man, Hassan Makuku, was killed, while Ali Shehu sustained gunshot injuries.
The Commissioner of Police deployed additional tactical units, military personnel, and vigilantes to the area. A combined team was also sent into surrounding forests for search and rescue operations.
2. Chibok Kidnapping (2014)
On April 14, 2014, Boko Haram terrorists stormed Government Girls Secondary School in Chibok, Borno State, abducting 276 female students. The attack triggered global outrage and the #BringBackOurGirls campaign. It remains Nigeria’s most high-profile mass abduction.
The kidnapping happened during Goodluck Jonathan’s administration. Between 2016 and 2017, 108 girls were rescued. One of the victims, Rabiat, was forced to convert to Islam and married off to fighters before eventually escaping due to internal conflict within Boko Haram.
3. Dapchi Kidnapping (2018)
On February 19, 2018, about 110 girls aged 11–19 were abducted from Government Girls Science and Technical College, Dapchi, Yobe State. Most of the girls were later released, but the attack reignited concerns about school safety in the northeast.
Leah Sharibu, 14, remains in captivity after refusing to renounce her Christian faith. She is the only Dapchi girl still held by the group.
4. Kankara Abduction (2020)
On December 11, 2020, over 300 boys were abducted from Government Science Secondary School, Kankara, Katsina State, during an attack by armed bandits. The incident occurred while President Buhari was visiting the state.
More than 340 boys were freed on December 17, 2020, after negotiations. Many recounted severe beatings, hunger, and days of trekking through forests.
5. Kagara Abduction (2021)
On February 17, 2021, armed bandits attacked Government Science College, Kagara, in Niger State. One student was killed, and 27 students, three staff members, and 12 family members were abducted. They were released on February 27, 2021, after negotiations.
6. Jangebe Abduction (2021)
On February 26, 2021, bandits abducted 279 girls from Government Girls Secondary School, Jangebe, Zamfara State. They were released on March 2, 2021. Despite government claims that no ransom was paid, many Nigerians doubted this. After the attack, many parents withdrew their children from the school.
7. Afaka and Greenfield University Attacks (2021)
On March 11, 2021, 39 students were abducted from the Federal College of Forestry Mechanisation, Afaka, Kaduna State. On April 20, 2021, 22 people, including students and staff, were kidnapped from Greenfield University.
8. Federal Government College, Birnin Yauri (June 2021)
On June 17, 2021, armed bandits attacked Federal Government College, Birnin Yauri, killing a police officer and abducting at least 80 students and five teachers.
9. Kuriga School Abduction (2024)
On March 7, 2024, 227 pupils were kidnapped from a Local Government Education Authority School in Kuriga, Kaduna State, underscoring the continued threat to schools.
Breakdown of kidnapping statistics
According to Save the Children, between 2014 and 2022, about 1,683 school children were kidnapped across roughly 70 separate incidents. Most attacks occurred in northwestern and northeastern Nigeria, where security challenges remain severe.
Which of these attacks affected you the most?
