One of the 25 schoolgirls kidnapped from their dormitory in Kebbi State, northwestern Nigeria, has managed to escape and return home safely.
The girls were taken in the early hours of Monday when armed men stormed the Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School. During the attack, a school staff member was killed, and the gunmen fled with the students.
According to the school principal, the escaped student trekked through surrounding forests before reaching home late Monday, only hours after the terrifying abduction. Another student, who was not part of the 25 officially listed as abducted, also managed to escape shortly after the attack.
“They are safe and sound,” the principal confirmed, expressing relief amid ongoing fear and uncertainty.
Mass abductions of students have become a recurring tragedy in northern Nigeria, where armed gangs—ranging from bandits to extremist factions—target schools to draw attention and demand ransom. These groups often operate in remote areas, taking advantage of limited security presence.
While no group has claimed responsibility for this attack, residents and analysts believe it is the work of one of the many gangs known for kidnapping students, villagers, and travelers. Many of these armed groups include former herders involved in long-running clashes over land and resources.
The persistent insecurity has been linked to corruption, lack of accountability for attackers, weak security resources, and porous borders that allow for the easy flow of weapons.
For now, families and communities in Kebbi continue to wait and hope for the safe return of the remaining abducted schoolgirls.